NZ shamed in international climate change report

New Zealand is ranked 41 out of a possible 61 for its performance on climate change and under National our position will plummet, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said today.

The annual Climate Change Performance Index report, released this week at the international climate talks being held in Doha, evaluates and compares the climate protection performance of the countries that are together responsible for more than 90 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions.

"Prime Minister John Key yesterday said 'New Zealand can hold its head up high when it comes to climate change' yet his actions are undermining our reputation and a new report shows we are not doing well," Dr Norman said.

"The report ranks New Zealand as poor on its climate change performance; very poor for its emissions level; and very poor for climate policy.

"Those results are likely to be even worse next year given the National Government has gutted the Emissions Trading Scheme as a tool for reducing emissions, and has decided not to sign up for binding reductions under the Kyoto Protocol.

"The National Government's position at international climate change talks in Doha is embarrassing. The National Government won't sign up for binding emissions but it is asking to still be able to benefit from access to international carbon markets under the Kyoto Protocol.

"There is nothing for the National Government to hold its head high over domestically or internationally," Dr Norman said.