Co-leader James Shaw, Marama Davidson call for stronger climate action at Greens State of the Planet speech

National, Labour and ACT have all been put on notice with the Green Party saying if they want their support at this year's election they'll have to come to the table with "much faster, bolder" climate action. 

The comments came during the co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson's State of the Planet speech on Sunday.

"Make no mistake: 2023 will be a climate election. Only the Green Party will confront the climate emergency with the urgency it demands and take action to build an Aotearoa that works for everyone," Shaw said. 

Shaw, who is also the Climate Change Minister, said he is "proud" of what the Greens have achieved over the last five years. 

"I am proud that over the last five years, we have taken more action on climate change than the past 30 years of Governments combined," he said. 

"But it's not enough. I do not want another generation to have to bear the burden of slow progress." 

Shaw reiterated that any political party that wants to work with the Greens, will have to bring the "strongest possible climate action".

"To any political party that wants the Green Party's support to form a government after the election, let us put it as simply as we can: the Green Party will not accept anything less than the strongest possible climate action," he said.

Green Party co-leader James Shaw.
Green Party co-leader James Shaw. Photo credit: Newshub

Shaw added the "stakes are too high" and the consequences of "failure too great" for climate action not to be taken seriously. 

"Over the next seven months, the Green Party will set out a plan for Aotearoa to cut climate pollution and improve our communities," Shaw said. 

"Our message will be simple: To get the government Aotearoa needs, we need more Green MPs in Parliament and Green Ministers sitting around the decision-making table. That is how we can best influence the next government."

Shaw said a Government with Greens in it will confront climate change with the urgency it demands and take action to ensure everyone has a "warm, affordable home and enough to live a good life". 

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson reiterated Shaws' message saying there is nothing more important than a warm, safe, affordable home on a healthy planet. 

"For many people right now, the struggle to put food on table, to pay the bills, is the concern that rises above all others," Davidson said.

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. Photo credit: Newshub

"The only way to confront big problems we face with the urgency they demand is to have more Green MPs, and more Green Ministers in the next Government. 

"2023 is the greatest opportunity Aotearoa will ever have to elect a government that will create a liveable future for all of us."