Hon Nick Smith MP
National Party Climate Change Spokesman

13 April 2007

National backs call for emissions trading

Emissions trading is the right way to address climate change, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.

He is responding to calls by the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development, and a poll in today's NBR that shows New Zealanders want the Government to get on and address the problem of climate change.

"Climate change policy in New Zealand is a shambles. Labour has been in government for nearly eight years, yet we have had one debacle after another. We urgently need a way forward, and emissions trading is the right response.

"Emissions trading will give businesses and New Zealanders the incentive to do the right thing. It will encourage forestry planting, renewable energy and greater energy conservation.

"National's 'Bluegreen vision for New Zealand' proposes a cap and trade system for greenhouse gas emissions. This survey of private individuals and business owners shows an increasing number of people agree this is the right way forward.

"The Government needs to stop vacillating on this critical issue and make some decisions. The Kyoto Protocol comes into effect in just nine months' time and businesses need to know the rates to be able to make sound investment decisions".

ENDS

© Scoop Media