Press release - June 28, 2009
The Governments announcement to hold a public consultation on the target of emissions reduction that NZ should adopt at the UN climate talks at Copenhagen in December, shows that New Zealanders’ voice on climate change does matter, says Greenpeace.
"New Zealand must do its fair share to save the planet and not
what is politically convenient, it's become that serious", said
Simon Boxer Greenpeace Climate Campaigner. "What's needed is an
emissions reduction target of at least 40 per cent by 2020 on
1990's levels." he said.
Climate change is happening faster and with much greater
consequence than scientists expected only a few years ago. The
latest official world climate science congress (1) made it very
clear - to avert catastrophic climate change will require all
developed countries like New Zealand to adopt a 40 per cent
reduction target by 2020 on 1990's emission levels. Any other
emissions reduction target would mean that the narrow window left
to avert catastrophic consequences would close.
"An emissions reduction target by NZ which is less than 40 per
cent by 2020 would signal to the world that New Zealand is not
prepared to do its bit to save the planet. New Zealand's
international standing and its clean and green image, upon which
many jobs in New Zealand depend, would be extremely damaged.
"Greenpeace believes that the Government knows that the right
thing to do is sign on to a 40 per cent reduction target with the
rest of the developed world at Copenhagen, but it needs the support
of New Zealanders to do this. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions are
vital for New Zealand to prosper economically in the future. Many
of the solutions at hand are also good for us and our pockets, as
demonstrated by home insulation policies, which mean warmer
healthier homes with lower energy bills."
Over 56,000 New Zealanders have already joined the Greenpeace Sign On campaign, which aims to
generate an unprecedented level of support for John Key to sign on
to a 40 per cent by 2020 emission reduction target at the UN
climate talks in Copenhagen in December. The Sign On campaign was
launched one month ago. A wide range of high-profile New Zealanders
are backing the campaign, including Lucy Lawless, Rhys Darby, Cliff
Curtis, Robyn Malcolm, chef Peter Gordon, Warehouse founder Stephen
Tindall.
Actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, also a Sign On ambassador, is
currently in the Pacific documenting the huge impact climate change
is having on people's lives there - her blogs are here.
Other contacts: Simon Boxer Greenpeace Climate Campaigner 021 905 579
Suzette Jackson Greenpeace Communications Manager 021 614 899
Notes: (1) The Synthesis Report summarises new knowledge that was presented at the congress “Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges & Decisions” at the University of Copenhagen in March this year. Approximately 2500 people from nearly 80 countries attended the congress with over 1400 scientific presentations.
A copy of the report can be downloaded at http://climatecongress.ku.dk/pdf/synthesisreport