Climate Change Minister missing in action

"Does this mean Nick Smith has abandoned his party after it sold out to ACT over climate change? Or is it that the party has abandoned the environment once and for all?" asked Greenpeace Political Advisor Geoff Keey.

"To not even mention the environment or climate change in its press release suggests New Zealand's clean and green reputation is of no interest to National. This is nonsensical; given that leader John Key has taken responsibility for one of the sectors most reliant on it - tourism.

 "How is Mr Key going to explain to potential visitors that New Zealand has abandoned what little credibility it had on climate change?  It's a huge incentive for tourists to stay away from New Zealand."

Meanwhile, former Shadow Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee has picked up the energy portfolio.

"This is the same Mr Brownlee who's publicly labeled coal as 'sexy' (1). You have to wonder what kind of message this sends to the world.

"Key seems intent on setting New Zealand up for global disgrace and irrelevancy. With Barack Obama heading for the White House, New Zealand is about to look very out of step with the world."

Greenpeace is calling on the new Government to set an emission reduction target of 30 per cent by 2020, and put in place the policies to reach that target. It is also demanding that the New Zealand delegation heading to the next UN climate talks in Poznan Poland in two weeks agrees to binding emission targets. (2)

Other contacts: Geoff Keey, Greenpeace Political Advisor – 021504486 Kathy Cumming – Communications and Media - 021 495 216

Notes: (1) http://brownlee.co.nz/index.php?/archives/41-Video-Newsletter-5.html_ (2) binding emissions reductions for developed (Annex 1) countries of between 25-40% by 2020 (on 1990 levels) and an overall emissions reduction target for developed (Annex 1) countries for the period 2013 – 2017 that is consistent with achieving the above reductions by 2020

Exp. contact date: 2009-07-16 00:00:00