"This latest call from the OECD Environmental Performance
Review, is an embarrassment for New Zealand and demonstrates just
how behind the game New Zealand is on addressing climate change
– the greatest challenge facing the planet," said
Greenpeace climate campaigner Vanessa Atkinson.
The OECD recommends that New Zealand develop a comprehensive
climate change policy package and ensure that the "agricultural
sector reduces it greenhouse gas emissions".
"Clearly, no climate polluting sector can be exempt from action
on climate change and that includes the agricultural sector as well
as transport and energy emissions, which have also sparked concern
from the OECD," said Atkinson
The report is critical of New Zealand´s dumping of its
climate change policy package in 2005, including the carbon charge
and warns that the country has very little experience in using the
Kyoto flexible mechanisms (such as carbon credits and the Clean
Development Mechanism), which New Zealand is likely to need to meet
its Kyoto targets.
It also highlights that the greenhouse gas intensity of the New
Zealand economy is fourth highest in the OECD, that greenhouse
pollution has climbed since 1996 and points to a worrying trend of
increasing carbon intensity in our electricity system.
"New Zealand is going in the wrong direction on climate change
and this latest warning from the international community puts
further pressure on the Government to get it right on climate
change and get it right fast," said Ms Atkinson.
"The Government must put a price on greenhouse gas pollution
across the economy by 2008, establish targets to reduce greenhouse
pollution by 30 per cent by 2020, aim for 100 per cent renewable
electricity by 2025, phase out existing coal stations like Huntly
and put in place policies to encourage renewable energy such as a
guaranteed pricing scheme, as well as energy efficiency and public
transport," concluded Ms Atkinson.
The Greenpeace report New Zealand Energy Revolution: How to
prevent climate chaos, released in February, demonstrates how New
Zealand can reduce its greenhouse pollution in the energy sector
without damaging the economy.
Other contacts: Vanessa Atkinson, Greenpeace New Zealand climate campaigner 021 565 165
Suzette Jackson, Greenpeace New Zealand communications officer 021 614 899