New Zealand considers abandoning Kyoto commitment

The New Zealand Youth Delegation (NZYD) has today condemned the Government’s inaction on climate change.

Associate Climate Change Minister Simon Bridges revealed this week that his Government is yet to set a target for the second Kyoto commitment period.
In response to questions in the House, Bridges stated that “while [he] does not claim to understand the details…my understanding is that decisions have yet to be made on that particular matter.”

“The Government’s lethargy on this is appalling”, NZYD spokesperson Simon Tapp said this afternoon.

“With the first Kyoto commitment period ending on 31 December, New Zealand needs to honour our international responsibility to avoiding runaway climate change by immediately committing to a second commitment period.

“It is deplorable that 10 weeks out from the end of the commitment period we still have not decided on a target. We signaled our target for commitment period 1 eleven years before that started, this last-minute inaction is unacceptable.

A UN document released in August reaffirms New Zealand’s original reduction target for 1990-2012 to be among the weakest amongst developed countries. New Zealand’s emissions have actually increased by approximately 20% over the same period. New Zealand is frequently singled out and awarded the shameful ‘Fossil of the Day” award at international climate negotiations, for our low targets and continued inaction.

“New Zealand’s refusal to make a decision is selfish and internationally embarrassing. We must acknowledge our responsibility as a developed country to contribute positively toward mitigating climate change.

“Our continued refusal to commit risks doing far greater damage, to our reputation, economy and environment than working with the rest of the world to prevent runaway climate change.

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