Press release - November 22, 2007
Figures showing New Zealand is among the worst in the industrialised world for emission increases are not surprising, says Greenpeace.
"We've known for many years that
despite its clean green image, New Zealand has an appalling record when
it comes to emissions," said Climate Campaigner Susannah Bailey.
"The greenhouse gas intensity of our economy is one of the highest in
the OECD and our greenhouse gas emissions per capita are in the top 12
countries worldwide.
"We urgently require a strong domestic emission reduction target of at
least 30% emission reductions from 1990 levels by 2020 and 80-90% by
2050. All sectors must take urgent steps to reduce their
emissions. This includes the agricultural sector, which accounts
for nearly half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions and has
increased its emissions by about 17 percent since 1990."
The New Zealand Government also needed to push for strong global
targets when it goes to Bali in two weeks time to negotiate the Kyoto
Protocol's second round, she said.
"The effectiveness of New Zealand's much-heralded emissions trading
scheme beyond 2012 is almost wholly reliant on the outcome of these
negotiations, because they will set the global price on carbon.
"As it currently stands the emissions trading scheme is conservative,
gradual and extremely generous to trade-exposed emitters like the
agricultural industry. Government officials have been very open about
the fact the scheme is not designed to reduce New Zealand's emissions,
but rather to meet our international obligations at least cost. This
approach needs to shift. We need to meet our international obligations
AND achieve major cuts at home.
"The Labour-led government needs to ensure that its climate change
policies aren't just window dressing. Bali will be the real test of its
commitment.
"The New Zealand delegation must push for a global emissions reduction
target that keeps warming below two degrees. The IPCC itself specifies
a range of between 25 and 40 per cent reductions below 1990 levels by
2020 for developed countries like New Zealand."
Other contacts: Kathy Cumming - 021 495 216
Exp. contact date: 2007-12-30 00:00:00