New Zealand Youth Delegation challenges PMs fossil fuel subsidy reform hypocrisy at Paris Climate Change Talks

The New Zealand Youth Delegation (NZYD) welcomes the Prime Minister’s recent comments on fossil fuel subsidy reform as a necessary first step towards the phase out, and elimination of all fossil fuel subsidies but challenge the PM to live up to his rhetoric.

“We applaud the Prime Minister’s new found commitment on New Zealand being a leader on fossil fuel subsidy reform but ask him to apply this commitment to eliminating all tax breaks, industry support and other subsidies for the oil, gas and fossil fuel industry in New Zealand.” said NZYD spokesperson Francisco Hernandez in response to the Prime Minister’s comments at COP21 earlier today.

“With his government spending nearly $84.92 million on fossil fuel subsidies and almost 20 times as much supporting fossil fuel industry promotion compared to renewable energy promotion, New Zealand needs to clean house and stop being hypocritical.”

“As the Prime Minister Key mentioned in his remarks earlier today in Paris: 'subsidy reform will take courage, leadership and political will but with low energy prices and momentum for global reform the timing has never been better.' We need to eliminate our own fossil fuel subsidies to protect our global reputation, safeguard our economy and future proof New Zealand by instead embracing the opportunities offered by a clean energy future."

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