Forest & Bird-Youth members marching in New Zealand during School Strike for Climate-protests – Image: Forest & Bird
New Zealand has plummeted to 44th place out of 67 countries in the 2026 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), reflecting the Government’s extensive weakening of climate and environmental protections, says the NZ environmental organisation Forest & Bird.
The annual report, released today at COP30 in Brazil, shows New Zealand slip in the rankings, firmly labelling it as a “low performer”. The report’s most scathing assessment was for New Zealand’s Climate Policy, which received a “very low” rating.
“This report is pretty damning. We know we need to prioritise emissions reductions and invest in nature-based solutions like restoring indigenous forest, wetland, and coastal ecosystems to ensure we have healthy environments which benefit wildlife and New Zealanders,” says Scott Burnett, Forest & Bird’s climate spokesperson (and a contributor to the report).
The CCPI ranking comes hot on the heels of New Zealand receiving the ‘Fossil of the Day’ award yesterday over recent backtracking on methane targets.
“Acting on climate change is a no-brainer. It’s good for our environment and good for our economy. But instead of showing leadership and taking action on climate change and biodiversity, the news from COP confirms in no uncertain terms that this Government is propelling New Zealand backwards.”
The CCPI report, which was finalised in early October, based its assessment on rollbacks. The report:
- Condemns the Government’s decision to exempt agriculture, New Zealand’s largest emitter, from any emissions pricing, noting the final confirmation on 12 October 2025 that the Government “would no longer pursue any pricing on agriculture emissions”.
- Calls out the “troubling” rollback of the ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration, compounded by a $200 million subsidy for new gas supplies and the use of the Fast-track Approvals Act to expand a coal mine.
- Notes the Government’s decision to substantially reduce the 2050 methane target as “ambition backsliding,” made despite explicit advice that the new target is not aligned with the 1.5 Celsius Paris goal.
- Cites the scrapping of the EV “feebate” scheme, removal of vehicle efficiency standards, and reduction in petrol taxes as backward steps.
“As bad as this report is, the reality is even worse. In the few weeks since this assessment was finalised, the Government has doubled down on its ‘war on nature’,” says Burnett.
“Just last month, the Government gutted a ‘world-first’ Climate-Related Disclosures regime, exempting all KiwiSaver providers and over half of all reporting companies, including major polluters. Even more recently, they announced plans to weaken the Climate Change Response Act itself.
“The Government’s ‘war on nature’ is damaging our international reputation and placing free trade agreements at risk. We have withdrawn from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance and are now firmly ranked with the laggards.
“This isn’t just about emissions. The Government’s drive for more intensive dairying, enabled by scrapping freshwater rules and emissions pricing, is a disaster for our rivers. The Fast-track Approvals Act and Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill is a direct threat to our wild places and marine ecosystems.”
Forest & Bird supports the CCPI’s key recommendations, which align with the expert advice of New Zealand’s own Climate Change Commission.
“The path forward is clear,” says Burnett.
“We must, as the report demands, reinstate the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, stop subsidising fossil fuels, and tackle agricultural emissions through decisive action on methane and emissions pricing”.
Climate Change Performance Index
(NAN/F&B 19-11-25)
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