Groundswell NZ ramps up ‘Quit Paris’ campaign against climate accord

The farmer lobby group plans to roll out a series of signboards across the country, arguing for the end of New Zealand’s involvement in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. New Zealand signed onto the agreement in 2016 and it took effect in 2020.

Subsequently, it has proven controversial with Act party leader David Seymour floating the idea of pulling out of the agreement in February following the release of the Government’s National Determined Contribution (NDC).

The NDC, which covers all sectors and greenhouse gases, commits New Zealand to reducing its emissions by 51% to 55% below 2005 levels by 2035. The previous NDC was for a 50% cut by 2030.

Now Groundswell is asking members with a fence, paddock or building facing a busy road to get in touch and host a 2.4m by 1.2m corflute sign on their property until the next election.

Groundswell says it will provide the sign, however it will need to be fixed to a durable backing to last.

“Our immediate priority is finding sites on the roads leading into the Fieldays event, but this is still a nationwide campaign,” the group wrote in a message to members.

“The Paris Agreement was a bad deal from the start, punishing New Zealand for already being emissions efficient and pushing our politicians to promise impossible targets,” they say.