An open letter signed by 14 industry representatives has gone to
all MPs urging them not to back the scheme.
"This is the same kind of scaremongering and short-term,
one-track thinking we've seen from big business over every piece of
climate legislation that's ever been tabled," said Greenpeace
Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid.
"They argue the process has been rushed. This is complete
bollocks. Rarely has a piece of legislation been so heavily
analysed and widely consulted over as the ETS. Calls of "slow down"
say more about the self-interest of big polluting business than
they do about the robustness of the legislation.
"They argue that heed hasn't been taken of concerns raised by
productive sectors. Again, blatantly wrong. There have been huge
concessions made during the course of the select committee process
in favour of big business.
"Big polluting businesses have always been averse to anything
that's going to cost them money in the short term, even if the long
term benefits will be in the interests of all New Zealanders.
"Whether big business has 15 minutes or 15 days to promote its
cry for corporate welfare at the expense of New Zealand taxpayers
will make no difference to MPs who value fairness in applying
legislation.
"Fairness seems to be a concept big business has difficulty
understanding, so it's not surprising to see this desperate last
attempt at bullying MPs who're sticking to their principles.
"Just because big business has managed to whip National into
line, doesn't mean it can do that with all politicians."
Ms McDiarmid said an ETS was one small step towards a credible
contribution to a huge global problem. "It gives New Zealand the
head start we need to add value ahead of our global competitors. If
we don't make this start, we risk losing international credibility,
negotiating power, trading partners, political allies and our clean
green brand."
Greenpeace is calling on all political parties to set a domestic
emissions reduction target of 30 per cent by 2020 and bring
agriculture into the emissions trading scheme within the next two
years.
Other contacts: Bunny McDiarmid – Greenpeace Executive Director - 021 838 183
Kathy Cumming – Greenpeace Communications – 021 495 216.
Exp. contact date: 2008-11-18 00:00:00