Pan Industry Group

January 25, 2002

Kyoto decision will not affect New Zealand’s image

“The timing of any decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol will not affect this country’s clean green image”, the Climate Change Pan Industry Group spokesman Chris Baker said today. He was commenting on a statement by Energy Minister Pete Hodgson yesterday about the implications of delay.

“The potential costs to our economy of policies associated with ratification are real and substantial. However it cannot be claimed that a careful, considered approach to ratification, which might take a year or more, will damage New Zealand’s clean green image.

“As most countries in the world will not be obligated under the Kyoto treaty for the first commitment period 2008-12, there is no reason to believe that by taking our time to get it right, New Zealand industry will be exposed to risks to our image.

“Environment Minister Pete Hodgson is concerned that because New Zealand has been at the forefront on Climate Change, a more measured approach will make us seem hypocrites. The Pan Industry Group believes other countries will understand our unique situation calls for greater care, and that we are supportive of international steps to deal with man-made climate change issues.

“There is no business in this country that would the dispute the need for New Zealand to be smarter on environmental issues and to protect and enhance our clean green image. What is concerning is that the Government is insisting that ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 is the answer, when all the evidence, and all the logic, suggests that this is not the case”, Mr Baker said.

ENDS

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