Business leaders tell unions emissions trading will deliver thousands of 'future jobs'

Business leaders today praised the unions for recognising emissions trading will help deliver "future jobs".

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development told the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union's climate change-focused conference at Auckland, it was now crucial not to under invest in "future jobs" by over investing to preserve "old jobs".

Business Council Chief Executive Peter Neilson said the unions were showing foresight and leadership in an opinion paper published this week by the Council of Trade Unions' economist, Peter Conway.

Mr Conway said business had had its say on the emissions trading bill, got a result, as had the unions, but continued to dump on the bill. Some sections of business would never be ready.

Mr Conway said a broad range of climate change responses were needed including regulation, mitigation, investment and education.

Mr Neilson said on the move to put a price on emissions and its potential impact on some heavy emitting businesses and their employees.

"Looking forward, no-one can promise you every existing job will be there in the future. But it's now about investing where the future jobs are, rather than over-investing in preserving old jobs using high-emission technology."

Mr Neilson said a potential investment of more than $12.3 billion over the next 10 years, which could be triggered by passage of the emissions trading bill and a price on carbon, would create more than 9,600 jobs, and pay more than $5.5 billion in new wages a year.

"A new wind turbine, new geothermal power stations, building new industries around wind, solar, ocean, bio fuel, bio char and bio waste fuel industries are made more viable by putting a price on emissions.

"Anyone who thinks we can afford to wait or we are ahead in these areas is sadly mistaken," Mr Neilson said. "Our key industries haven't a moment to lose. US dairy farmers last week decided on a range of new strategies to lower emissions. Tokyo City announced an emissions trading scheme. California unveiled its new cap and trade scheme which may form the blue print for the rest of the US to follow," Mr Neilson said.

"We need to get our emissions down to stay competitive with our food and tourism exports. Otherwise we will lose our reputation and market share – and potentially tens of thousands of jobs. The rest of the world doesn't need us. We need to back ourselves, get on with pricing carbon right now – and trigger the investments which grow jobs in a new low-carbon, clean economy."

Recent research in the US detailed how low-emission industry growth would underscore about 14 million skilled jobs there.

Mr Neilson also told delegates the "real mood" of the people was one of high concern over climate change, and support for emissions trading as a way of managing climate change and protecting the country's trading position.

He said a ShapeNZ national poll of 2,569 respondents between May 6 and June 6 this year (with a margin of error of + or – 1.9%) showed 80% believed climate change was an urgent problem or one to be managed right now.

"The extent of the underlying national consensus on this issue is that the level of concern among business managers, proprietors and self employed and technical, mechanical and trade skilled works is identical: 78% of each group think it's a problem for now or urgent."

Earlier research had shown 82% of New Zealanders wanted cross party agreement on climate change solutions.

"Therein lies an incredibly powerful message to our policy makers to show real leadership, and give the transition to new jobs and the new highly competitive low-carbon economy top priority. They could start by passing the emissions trading law this month. Nine years to consider a policy response, nine months to consider the trading framework, is enough to make decisions in principle and move forward."