A grim picture has been painted at the Green Party's 'state of the planet' speech, both for the environment and the party itself.

Co-leader James Shaw has outlined his party's plan for the future to an overflowing Wellington lecture theatre today.

Shaw pointed out that New Zealanders use 1.6 billion single-use plastic bags a year and worldwide people use one million plastic bottles a minute.

He said the Earth's mammals, birds and fish have declined by 58 percent in just over 40 years, and our contribution to climate change isn't pretty either.

"Despite our image of ourselves as a clean and green country, Kiwis have the fifth highest per person emissions in the OECD."

However, in order for the Green Party to achieve anything in Government, compromise may be on the cards for supporters.

Shaw reminded his membership the Greens are just eight out of 120 MPs, and one of three parties in Government.

He elaborated that that that means focusing on big Green goals, like implementing the Zero Carbon Act and Waste Minimisation, in order to make any positive change.

"There will be some people who are upset that there are battles that we lose and some compromises that we'll have to take. I just think that is one of the natural transitions of becoming a party of opposition from a party of government, I think we'll just have to deal with it."

He did reassure them by pointing out: "We are not the Government alone, but no party is."