Business leaders look forward to working with National on major economic and environmental issues
Wednesday 12 November 2008, 2:28PM
By New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development
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The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development has congratulated National on its election win – and says it looks forward to working with it on major economic and environmental issues.
Business Council chair, Nick Main, says there are a number of areas in which the Business Council position is consistent with National’s policy platforms, including:
• Removing the ban on new thermal power generation
• Supporting an effective Emissions Trading Scheme
• Reforming the Resource Management Act to speed up the consenting process, without eroding its environmental impact tests.
Mr Main says the Business Council is looking forward to working with the new government to address some other major long-term sustainability issues for the country.
These include proposals for much-needed reform of the country’s fresh water allocation system and the management of water quality. Growth in agriculture is increasingly at risk unless the country better manages this important resource.
Mr Main says the Business Council will also soon report on measures to improve the performance of New Zealand’s houses, which could deliver big economic and other benefits.
“We look forward to discussing these with the new Government.
“We plan to continue to research ways to help the country with its transition to a low carbon economy, to protect and enhance our trading position, while improving our quality of life,” Mr Main says.
Ends
The Business Council believes sustainable businesses are profitable, contribute to social progress and ecological balance – and protect New Zealand’s quality of life. The Business Council’s 74 members jointly employ more than 88,000 people in managing resources, manufacturing, retailing and the service sector. Members contribute annual sales of $59 billion to the economy, equivalent to 43% of GDP. The Business Council runs a national online survey panel, ShapeNZ, to allow public input on major issues. The panel has more than 14,000 members, is built from purchased lists and is representative of the population as a whole, compared with the 2006 census. ShapeNZ members register and provide demographic and previous party vote information to ensure results can be accurately weighted to reflect the New Zealand population. A report is available here on ShapeNZ methodology. Registration is also available at www.shapenz.org.nz.