NZ risks becoming climate change pariah

The National-led Government's weak position on climate change is being exposed at the United Nations international climate change negotiations in Durban, Green Party climate change spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham said today.

Reports have been sent from Durban about the 'exceptionally irresponsible' position of the New Zealand Government in the critical negotiations there.

"New Zealand is attempting to accumulate an unfair allocation of free emissions, to make up for a shortfall created by the Government's policies that are not sufficiently reducing our emissions" said Dr Graham.

"The New Zealand Government is proving to be excessively self-interested and regressive in its approach to combating climate change."

New Zealand has received a Fossil Award at Durban, the badge of dishonour for countries whose policies will cause most damage to the planet. Global emissions have increased by 49 per cent in the two decades since the international community resolved to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. New research shows emissions have increased by 3.1 per cent annually since 2000.

"Everywhere, the verdict is that urgent and comprehensive action is needed reverse current climate trends," said Dr Graham.

"The Prime Minister needs to recognise that New Zealand shares an obligation to ensure that emissions peak by 2015. Time is running out.

"The New Zealand Government must be a responsible and helpful negotiating partner in Durban, otherwise New Zealand risks becoming a global pariah.

"You cannot treat climate change negotiations as if they are trade deals. Maximising a competitive zero-sum position is suicidal for the global commons.

"The Government's determination to put polluters before people will eventually create a whopping bill for New Zealand taxpayers," said Dr Graham.

"The Government's strategy in Durban appears to be a rear-guard fight to minimise the fiscal cost of refusing to cut emissions and subsidising polluters."

Note: The Durban round continues until 9 December. Member States are attempting to reach a follow-up agreement to the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012.