Release From the Green party

NZ slated as 'fossil of the day' by international climate change groups

New Zealand has been slated for its large increases in CO2 emissions since 1990, at an international climate change conference in Germany this week.

At the COP5 climate change talks in Bonn, daily 'fossil of the day' awards have been awarded by Climate Action Network, a global association of 269 non-government organisations concerned at climate change, and New Zealand won the first one handed out.

New Zealand beat Saudi Arabia and Canada to the award 'for increasing its emissions by 30% after promising to cut them by 5% - under the same Minister of Environment.'

The prize - three briquettes of premium quality German coal - was awarded to New Zealand on Monday.

"The award is recognition of the National Party's appalling all-talk-no-action approach to the threat of climate change," said Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

"We have had endless research and submissions and consultation, but no policy announcements and no action during this parliamentary term," she said.

"It's probably a little unfair of the Network to single out Simon Upton for blame, simply because he works for a Party that doesn't care about the environment.

"The National Party's negligence in allowing our greenhouse gas emissions to grow is starting to undermine New Zealand's international reputation, so critical for our primary export and tourism industries.

"Their short-sighted approach will cost the economy in the long term," said Jeanette Fitzsimons.

Details of the award to New Zealand are available at

http://www.econet.apc.org/climate/2_cop5_fossil.html

.

© Scoop Media