WELLINGTON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Climate Change Minister James Shaw on Saturday released the government's Climate Action Plan in response to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into the low emissions economy.

The New Zealand government is committed to "a just and rapid transition to a low emissions economy, because it's vital that we play our part looking after our planet," Shaw said in a statement.

"We're already taking action on many of the Productivity Commission's recommendations," Shaw said.

"The Commission was clear that we must work together across every sector of our economy, from energy to transport to agriculture. We are all in this together," he said.

"Whether it's supporting coastal communities to plan for sea level rise, working to make electric cars cheaper for families, or partnering with businesses and farmers to find the best ways to reduce their emissions and create sustainable jobs, our government is working alongside New Zealanders to tackle the climate crisis," he added.

Sheep and their lambs are pictured on a rural farm on July 17, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. The agriculture industry accounts for almost half of the greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand and is excempt from the emissions trading scheme, which requires polluters to pay based on the amounts they emit. In a proposal from the government's Interim Climate Change Commission the agriculture industry would begin to pay a price on it's total emissions from 2025. (Photo: VCG)

Work is well underway to fix the Emissions Trading Scheme and establish an independent Climate Change Commission, reduce the price of electric cars, and require big businesses to report their climate-related financial risks, according to the minister.