For immediate release: Sunday, June 12th, 2011

Youth outraged at Government stalling progress in climate talks

The New Zealand Government's refusal to create a low-carbon development plan has come under the spotlight at the UN climate change negotiations currently taking place in Bonn, Germany.

At the Cancun Climate negotiations last December, all parties agreed that developed countries “should” create low-carbon development plans to show how emission reductions will be made. New Zealand has admitted in correspondence to its NGOs that it has no intention of producing such a plan because the language, and specifically the word ‘should’, does not make it mandatory. The issue has received attention in Bonn, and it is now clear in the international community that New Zealand is unwilling.

Concerned young people in New Zealand have expressed frustration and disappointment with the Government's stance. Organisations including 350.org, the New Zealand Youth Delegation (NZYD) 2010 and Medical Students for Global Awareness, have come together to implore the Government to step up to their international obligations.

"The reason the Government has refused to develop a low-carbon development plan is because their ideology swings the other way - to increased emissions and coal exploitation. So for them to submit a plan based on their current policies would be downright embarrassing on the global stage, but equally, not submitting one is just as embarrassing." Says 350.org spokesperson, Aaron Packard.

New Zealand’s refusal is made even worse in light of new analysis by the Stockholm Environment Institute showing that developing countries are on track to achieve a greater reduction in greenhouse gas emissions than developed countries by 2020.

“Until countries like New Zealand start fronting up with what is really needed, these international talks will continue to stall. We have to realise that ultimately we are all in this together,” says Chelsea Robinson, co-convener of the New Zealand Youth Delegation 2010.

The group of organisations are calling for the Government to make a dramatic shift away from fossil fuels, and commit to creating a low-carbon development plan for New Zealand.

“The reality is, the world has entered a new era of global limits and we desperately need a new direction,” says Paul Young of NZYD 2010. “Our government is running scared from a low-carbon future, but this is the only future that delivers hope to our generation and those to follow.”

“Young people can only have confidence in a government that is committed to plan for their future.”

ENDS

To see reporting of NZ’s stance from the climate talks in Bonn, see the article “You Must Be Joking...” at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/57515790/ECO-5-Bonn-2011-English-Version

About 350.org
350.org - is an international organisation that's building a movement to unite the world around solutions to climate change. Our mission is to inspire practical climate action in communities across the world. 350 comes from 350 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere - the level scientists say we need if we want to maintain the world as we currently know it (due to the burning of fossil fuels the world is currently at 392). 350 Aotearoa is the New Zealand branch of 350.org - more information can be found on www.350.org.nz

About NZYD
The NZYD (New Zealand Youth Delegation) 2010- A team of young people passionate about ensuring our climate policies look after the planet for generations to come!

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