14 December 2011

New Zealand urged to commit to ‘Kyoto 2’ climate deal

In the wake of the Durban Climate talks, which concluded after last minute extensions on Sunday (Dec 11), New Zealand is under overseas scrutiny for its lack of commitment to the European-led proposal to extend the Kyoto Protocol. WWF-New Zealand is calling on the New Zealand Government to make its position – and its commitment to continued emissions reduction – clear.

Chris Huhne, the British climate minister said in London yesterday that it is a “matter of doubt” whether New Zealand and Australia would commit to second phase of the Kyoto Protocol (KP2) – the solution that the European Union proposed in Durban in order to encourage some countries to continue their emissions reduction pathway until a new global agreement is drafted by 2015.

“It appears New Zealand’s Minister Tim Groser went to Durban without the intention to take a clear stand on the global stage and say “yes” we’ll keep reducing emissions until everyone can agree on a long term solution,” said WWF-New Zealand’s climate change campaigner Lee Barry.

“It places questions over New Zealand’s commitment to climate change, and shows the Minister was unprepared to take the high-level decisions needed for success at such international meetings.”

The European pledge opens the door for other current Kyoto Protocol signatories - countries like New Zealand and Australia – to join a 2nd phase of the scheme beyond its current 2012 end point and show their continued commitment to emissions reduction. Meanwhile a larger group of countries - including big-emitters the US, China and India – have agreed to negotiate a new global deal on reducing emissions, but one which is not expected to come into force until 2020.

Ms Barry continued, “The agreement to form a new global deal by 2020 is too little too late. New Zealand has the opportunity to commit to ‘Kyoto 2’ in the meantime and live up to our clean green reputation by taking steps to curb carbon which will continue to build to dangerous levels before a new treaty is reached.”

Yesterday’s announcement that Canada has withdrawn from its original Kyoto Protocol commitment shows the damage that can be caused to international reputations when promises to cut emissions are broken.

“Canada’s actions have been condemned by the international community as reckless and at odds with the international effort to tackle climate change. New Zealand certainly does not want to risk being tarred by the same brush,” said Ms Barry.

The New Zealand delegation is currently returning from Durban and government spokespeople contacted by WWF are not able to confirm New Zealand’s position on any Kyoto Protocol 2 commitment. In an interview with Radio New Zealand National this morning Minister Tim Groser said a decision on whether to commit to this “Kyoto space” would be made at a Cabinet level.

WWF urges the Minister to end international speculation and declare that New Zealand would commit to second period of Kyoto on the way to a broader global deal.

The comments made by the Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for the UK Government were made during evidence given to the Energy and Climate Change select committee on Tuesday 13 December 2011. The evidence can be seen in full here.

About WWF-New Zealand

WWF-New Zealand is part of the WWF International Network, the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. This is achieved by working on the ground with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, using the best possible science to advocate change and effective conservation policy.

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