Australia and New Zealand make statement at inaugural Climate and Finance Dialogue

The Australian government signed a Joint Statement with New Zealand following a meeting between Treasurers and Climate Change Ministers. The Statement agrees to accelerate climate action by identifying shared economic opportunities to navigate a successful transition to net zero.

The Joint Statement was signed at the inaugural Australia–New Zealand 2+2 Climate and Finance Dialogue. The Dialogue was attended by Australian Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers, Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, New Zealand Minister of Finance Grant Robertson and New Zealand Minister of Climate Change James Shaw.

Ministers discussed the need for accelerated climate action to stay within a 1.5-degree temperature rise limit, and to harness the significant economic opportunities that the clean energy transformation offers Australia and New Zealand.

Australia and New Zealand recognised climate change as the single greatest threat to the Pacific and committed to working together and with Pacific partners to ensure the regions’ resilience and prosperity.

The Dialogue focused on navigating shared economic challenges and opportunities presented by the transition to net zero, identifying areas for collaboration to navigate a successful transition.

Ministers agreed to:

• Hold the Australia-New Zealand 2+2 Climate and Finance Dialogue annually and establish a joint working group to support policy implementation.
• Establish a Net Zero Government Working Group to support decarbonising public services, climate-related disclosures, and sustainable procurement.
• Co-ordinate efforts to stimulate production and supply of electric and zero emission vehicles into the Australasian market, including accelerating the uptake of zero emissions vehicles in government fleets, and explore the potential for collaboration on vehicle manufacturing and improving charging infrastructure.
• Work to align sustainable finance frameworks and tools across the Tasman to enhance interoperability and support businesses operating across the economic region.
• Work together to develop adaptation indicators and monitoring frameworks.
• Support the development of internationally aligned Guarantee of Origin Schemes, including dedicated conversations to explore the adoption of Australia's GO Scheme in New Zealand.