Changes To Climate Change Act Not Enough

29 July 2005

Changes To Climate Change Act Not Enough

EMA Central says planned changes to the Climate Change Amendment Act, reported back today by the Commerce Committee, don't address the real issue.

The decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in the first place was a mistake, according to Paul Winter, Chief Executive of EMA Central.

"Pete Hodgson, who got us into Kyoto, has been forced to admit the decision was based on wrong information," Paul Winter said. "The government thought we'd have carbon credits to sell and in fact we'll be in deficit. They didn't think it through properly, and they didn't properly assess the risks for New Zealand.

"Whatever the government does now to fine tune the process isn't going to change that initial error," he said.

Paul Winter said New Zealand businesses don't need more costs or more regulation when they're out there trying to be competitive in a global marketplace.

"It just doesn't make sense for us to leap into Kyoto ahead of our major trading partners," he said. "Australia has been much smarter. They didn't sign up to Kyoto, and now they're working with the United States and developing countries on a much more constructive strategy."

ENDS

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