The Government's announced New Zealand will reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Climate Change Minister James Shaw made the announcement today ahead of the United Nations climate change conference.

It's the Government's new Nationally Determined Contribution figure to meet the Paris Agreement.

The change comes after the Climate Change Commission recommended a higher target.

Mr Shaw told The Weekend Collective that while a small country, New Zealand's contribution is important.

LISTEN ABOVE