Thursday, 18 January 2007

Divisive scorecards not the way to foster climate cooperation

United Future leader Peter Dunne has reiterated the importance of a cross-party summit on climate change, following the divisive and petty one-upmanship displayed by the Green Party through their climate change scorecard.

"The only achievement of the Green Party scorecard stunt was to further the division between parties rather than focus on what we have in common," said Mr Dunne.

"Each party has its own solutions to climate change, some of these match the policies of other parties, some of these don't.

"I do not doubt that there will be disagreements; however now is the time to focus on bringing the parties together through a common goal rather than driving them apart.

"As far as I can tell all parties - with the possible exception of ACT - agree on at least three major policy strands. These are:

1. Energy responsibility through the greater insulation and efficiency of our businesses and homes

2. The need to improve the efficiency and fuel consumption of our vehicle fleet

3. The planting of commercial and native forests to sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

"In my opinion it is extremely short-sighted of the Greens to criticise others and take the moral high ground when the fact of the matter is that the only way they will be able to significantly contribute to future solutions will be to work alongside other parties.

"All political parties and especially small parties such as United Future and the Greens must understand that this issue is too big, too long-term and affects too many people for any one party or even one government to hold a monopoly over the policies necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change.

"I hope all those who partake in a cross-party summit will do so in an open frame of mind, and look to forward the best interests of New Zealanders and our environment rather than just those of their respective party," said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

© Scoop Media