10 July 2008

Dunne - Royal Society confirms need for robust legislation

The statement today by the Royal Society of New Zealand's expert committee on climate has emphasised the need for legislation that will stand the test of time, said UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne.

"The Royal Society report highlights the fact that climate change is a long-term issue that will be with us for the rest of this century and beyond," said Mr Dunne.

"The key for New Zealand is to come up with a robust emissions trading that will endure through the changing political winds of our democracy."

"UnitedFuture has indicated that we will not support the current Emissions Trading Bill before the House."

"While we agree with the principle of emissions trading legislation as a means to address climate change, we do not believe the Bill as written will provide the durable framework required to deal with New Zealand's international climate change commitments."

"It is essential that we design a scheme that has political buy-in from both major parties and is acceptable to all sectors and industries."

"The debate over climate change and its human-induced causes is over; however the equally important debate over the best means of dealing with it may have only just begun," said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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