Climate Politics Survey Results Report
"Although the Labour-led government is implementing a series of
climate change policies, the party refuses to commit to the strong
policies needed for leadership on climate change, particularly when
it comes to land use decisions and agricultural emissions," said
Greenpeace Political Adviser Geoff Keey.
The survey, compiled by Greenpeace and sent to all political
parties, also confirms the National Party is suffering a policy
vacuum when it comes to climate.
"National needs to match its rhetoric on tackling climate change
with policies. There appears to be no plan from National to
actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is the only real
solution to climate change."
A surprise performer in the survey was the Progressive Party,
which was second only to the Greens in terms of its commitment to
confronting climate change. The Green Party had the strongest
policies of any political party in Parliament. However no party has
yet developed sufficiently strong climate policies to deliver the
necessary emissions cuts needed to prevent the worst climate
impacts.
The survey release comes just two days before a political debate
onboard the Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior, which is in
Wellington from Wednesday as part of a six week nation-wide climate
change tour. Climate spokespeople from key parties will take part
in the debate, which will be webcast live.
"New Zealand is just months away from an election. We've timed
this questionnaire to make sure the public knows which parties are
serious about tackling climate change, and to give all political
parties time to improve their policies prior to the election," said
Mr Keey.
The survey consisted of 20 questions covering a range of issues
about climate change, including emission reduction targets,
domestic emission reductions, agriculture, transport, energy, the
New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, our international
obligations, and social equity.
"The questions are deliberately forward-looking and seek
commitments from political parties on the basis of what they will
do, rather than what they've already achieved," said Mr Keey.
"Some political parties may be disappointed with how they rate,
but the fact remains there is a lot that needs to be done on
climate, beyond what has been committed to by the parties.
"The most crucial thing for each party to do is set a domestic
emissions reduction target of 30 per cent by 2020 and develop
policies to tackle emissions from the agricultural sector,
including as a first step bringing the sector into the emissions
trading scheme within the next two years. (2)
"Only these commitments will achieve the level of emission cuts
needed to help avoid dangerous levels of climate change."
The New Zealand Government is currently represented by a
delegation of officials at the United Nations climate meeting
taking place from 31 March to 4 April in Bangkok. Here, delegates
will continue their discussions on the 25-40 per cent by 2020 cuts
which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has
identified are needed to prevent the worst climate impacts, and
which developed countries committed to "in principle" at the last
United Nations climate meeting in Bali.
"The New Zealand delegation needs to show political leadership
at this conference, but to have credibility in doing so, we need to
be showing leadership at home."
Greenpeace is strictly independent and does not support any
political party. The organisation expects every political party to
take climate change seriously and for their policies to reflect
this.
For details of the ship tour, see www.greenpeace.org.nz/rainbow-warrior
Other contacts: Suzette Jackson – (Greenpeace Communications Manager) 021614 899
Geoff Keey (Greenpeace political advisor) – 021504 486
Notes: (1) The survey - The Politics of Climate Change; Where New Zealand’s Political Parties Stand on the Biggest Challenge We Face - is available at http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/press/reports/climate-politics-survey
(2) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified a range of 25-40 per cent reductions by 2020 for developed countries like New Zealand. Greenpeace is calling for the New Zealand Government and all political parties to set an emissions reduction target of 30 per cent by 2020. In order to reach this target, we need the agricultural sector, which accounts for half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, on board.
Exp. contact date: 2008-04-30 00:00:00