The ACT partys new climate change policy tells MPs to get their own house in order, by slashing meetings of Parliaments House of Representatives by a quarter.

Leader David Seymour said that Parliamentarians were hypocrites for pointing the finger at the public for climate change solutions and should instead look at cutting their own emissions.

Instead of preaching about the planet, politicians should lead by example when it comes to addressing climate change by committing to individual action that will have real, measurable benefits, Seymour said.

Parliament has talked about putting solar panels on the roof and turning the Beehive green, but these changes would make little difference when MPs fly en masse into Wellington 30 times a year, he said.

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The ACT proposal is to change Parliaments sitting calendar so MPs sit for four days a week during 23weeks of the year. MPs currently sit for three days a week, over 30 weeks.

This would reduce the number of flights taken by MPs, and carbon emissions, by around 25 per cent, Seymour said.

Ross Giblin/Stuff

David Seymour wants MPs to spend fewer weeks in Parliament.

The policy would not only reduce emissions and save the taxpayer money, it would have an additional benefit, he said. Seymour said the policy would mean MPs could also have a better work-life balance.

Theres been much discussion in recent times about work-life balance and the pressures on MPs families. Spending fewer weeks, but the same number of days, in Wellington, and less time travelling, would reduce the time pressure on MPs, leaving more time to be productive at work and home, Seymour said.

If MPs cant take a small, positive step towards a cleaner planet, what hope do we have of addressing long-term climate change? he said.

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ACT deputy leader Brooke Van Velden is running for the party in Wellington central.

The policy was launched at ACTs Wellington Central campaign launch on Wednesday night. The party is running Brooke van Velden in the seat. Van Velden is the partys deputy leader, sitting at number 2 on the partys list.

With ACT polling around 5 per cent, van Velden is likely to make it into Parliament, the first time ACT will have more than a single MP since the 2011 election.

Im excited to be standing for the act party in Wellington Central this election, van Velden said.

The ideas of ACT are needed now more than ever because ACT has a plan for recovery that doesnt saddle my generation with debt for years to come and this is a real concern for younger people and especially the people of Wellington,

We can get people into affordable housing and take care of people at their most vulnerable with ACTs priorities at this election, she said.

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ACT wants to slash the number of weeks Parliament meets, saving money and emissions - Stuff.co.nz