Govt’s ETS uncertainty threatens global credibility

Any credibility generated by New Zealand’s leading role in the Global Research Alliance is being threatened by John Key’s failure to reaffirm his commitment to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the Green Party said today.

John Key addressed delegates from twenty-eight countries, meeting in Wellington this week to kick-off the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, an international research consortium designed to tackle the world’s food and environmental crises at the same time.

“It is clear that the Government is feeling the heat from New Zealand’s big greenhouse polluters to suspend or delay our Emissions Trading Scheme,” Dr Norman said.

“Any hint of a back-down from our already weakened ETS undermines our credibility on this important international stage.

“John Key’s welcome to the Alliance delegates failed to allay fears of a back-down, but instead repeated the myths about how hard it will be for New Zealand to reduce emissions.

“The Global Research Alliance is a credible approach to the challenges we face, but is not enough.

“John Key needs to reaffirm his Government’s commitment to the ETS timetable already in place.

“Delaying or suspending the scheme would send a signal to business that there's never going to be a price on carbon, and the longer we delay introducing a price on carbon the greater the adjustment cost when the price finally arrives.

“I call on the Prime Minister to make a clear statement that he will not be delaying the ETS further than he already has.” Dr Norman said.

ENDS

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