The Government has announced it will commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2020.
Last year it opted out of the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol, which would have legally bound it to the same target.
Trade Minister Tim Groser says New Zealand refused to commit to that on a matter of principle, as the Kyoto Protocol accounts for just 13% of worldwide emissions.
He says New Zealand will easily meet the goal and he would be surprised if it does not surpass it.
Mr Groser says New Zealand will honour its conditional offer in 2009 to reduce emissions to 10 - 20% below 1990 levels but only if other countries come on board.
