16 May 2007

Media Release

Party voters give strong steer on climate change policy

Voters for all parties with MPs in Parliament say climate change is a problem.

A new cross analysis of party voters shows climate change is recognised as a problem by between 54% and 99% of voters for all parties represented in the Parliament.

Overall 80% of New Zealanders believe climate change is a problem.

The analysis by current party vote intention of attitudes to climate change comes from a ShapeNZ online survey of 1463 respondents, weighted by age, gender, personal income and 2005 election party vote. The survey was conducted between 4 April and 14 May. It is accurate to within plus or minus 2%.

ShapeNZ is run by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development to give the public input into policy making.

The poll indicates why cross party agreement on climate change policies is both likely and desirable, the Business Council's Chief Executive, Peter Neilson says in remarks prepared for delivery to a major discussion at Wellington tonight involving the Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues and party leaders or spokespeople in climate change.

The polling shows overwhelming cross party voter support for climate change policies like insulating homes and paying cash incentives to buyers of fuel efficient, low emission vehicles, but opposition among some parties' supporters – or a near-even split – when it comes to putting a price on carbon.

"Advocates of a price on carbon will need to do more work to persuade some New Zealanders that emissions trading is the way to go, even though all the major parties now support this policy," Mr Neilson says.

Climate change:
The percentage of each party's voters who view climate change as a problem for now or in the future is: ACT 54%, Green 99%, Labour 95%, Maori Party 94%, National 73%, NZ First 76%, United Future 77%, don't know/undecided voters 92%.

Home insulation:
ACT 58%, Green 97%, Labour 97%, Maori party 96%, National 90%, United Future 88%, NZ First 95%, undecided voters 92%.

Cash incentives to buyers of fuel efficient, low emission cars (meeting Euro IV standards):
ACT 58%, Green 92%, Labour 90%, Maori Party 86%, National 80%, NZ First 79%, United Future 93%, undecided voters 85%.

Putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions:
ACT 37% support (52% oppose), Green 81% ( 9%), Labour 71 (28), Maori Party 54% (30%), National 39% (47%), NZ First 41% (43%), United Future 33% (67%), undecided 41% (32%).

Sustainable Government procurement (buy on whole of life price v day one price):
ACT 60% whole of life, Green 69%, Labour 63%, National 74%, NZ First 66%, United Future 87%, undecided 74%.

Should all sectors be required over time to become part of a system which sets a limit on emissions and pay for emissions?:
ACT 39% agree (31% disagree), Green 86% (7%), Labour 74% (13%), Maori Party 79% (9%), National 63% (27%),NZ First 62% (35%), United Future 50% (14%), undecided 66% (19%).

Full results are available at www.nzbcsd.org.nz. Other results include voters' views on a mix of fossil and renewable energy use into the future, or renewable energy projects only, and how well informed voters for each party feel on climate change.

The Environmental Defence Society's climate change seminar starts at 5.30pm today at Lecture Theatre 1, Rutherford House, corner Bunny Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington.

ENDS

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