Australian Industry 2, NZ 0, On Climate Change

Monday, 22 April 2002, 11:48 am
Press Release: Environmental Defence Society

Australian Industry 2, New Zealand 0, On Climate Change Leadership

There is a marked contrast between New Zealand and leading Australian industries on greenhouse gas generated climate change says the Environmental Defence Society.

EDS spokesperson Garry Law says conventional energy companies there are leading the debate on how society should adapt. He points to the call by the head of BP Australia for putting aside of vested interests in debating climate policy and for Australia’s renewable electricity target to be increased 20 fold. A major fossil fuel using electricity generator, Energy Australia, has also called for a national carbon charge or carbon emissions rights trading to be introduced.

“The contrast with New Zealand is startling, said Mr Law. This sort of leadership is simply lacking. The situation is very little different, Australian greenhouse gas emissions are up by 17.1% in a decade, New Zealand's non-agricultural emissions up by 16.2% in same period.

“The pleas from New Zealand industry have been for delay to ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, to not ratifying at all. They have made few constructive suggestions on domestic policy beyond each wanting their sector left out of any obligations. Their suggestions on renegotiating the Protocol are simply unrealistic. Along with that they have sought to muddy the waters on the science behind the need to act.

“Responsible companies world wide have accepted the need to act. Here too many businesses cannot see beyond the short term and their self-interest on this issue.

“They are heavying the Government that this is a matter of business confidence. The response should be that on their leadership shown so far on this issue, the Government has little confidence in their strategic vision for their businesses, concluded Mr Law.

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Environmental Defence Society

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