And it will be yet another example of the government
backtracking on crucial climate change action.
Greenpeace is responding to news the Government intends to delay
the introduction of the transport sector into the emissions trading
scheme until 2011 and also delay the implementation of regional
fuel taxes.
"Householders will pay for emissions through taxation to cover
our Kyoto overshoot, trucking companies will be subsidised and
petrol companies will make more profits from greater sales," says
Greenpeace Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid. "How this benefits
either consumers or the climate is beyond me.
"As well, discouraging investment in public transport by
delaying the regional fuel tax will just make the situation worse
as it will deprive many people, especially in Auckland, of the
opportunity to avoid paying for increased petrol costs by using
public transport. Petrol prices will rise no matter what the
Government does."
Ms McDiarmid said Greenpeace recognised that the way the ETS is
currently drafted disadvantages ordinary New Zealanders. "But this
isn't because of the scheme per se, it's because the Government is
proposing to give away too many free credits to big business and
industry.
"The solution is simple - auction the credits instead, so that
the money made can enable the Government to invest in households
and public transport, where the support and investment is really
needed.
"All those worrying about the unfair burden placed on
householders should back Greenpeace's call for greater auctioning
of pollution credits.
"The Government had delayed and dithered enough in its response
to climate change over the years. They must hold firm on this
policy, which is crucial and overdue, and not cave in to industry
and business pressure.
"Delaying parts of the scheme is simply delaying the inevitable,
which given the circumstances, is irresponsible. Anyone who thinks
delaying the emissions trading scheme, or parts of it, will reduce
the long-term costs of climate change is mad.
"The ETS needs adjustment to make it fairer. But the last thing
we should be doing is delaying it, or parts of it."
Greenpeace makes its submission to the Select Committee on the
legislation on Wednesday.
Other contacts: Bunny McDiarmid- Greenpeace Executive Director - 021 838 183
Kathy Cumming – Greenpeace communications – 021 495 216
Exp. contact date: 2008-07-07 00:00:00