Nick Smith MP
National Party Climate Change Spokesman

18 April 2008

Labour’s credibility on climate change dies with latest figures

Today’s figures showing yet another increase in New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions are a fatal blow to the credibility of Labour’s climate change record, says National’s Climate Change spokesperson, Nick Smith.

“These are the last annual figures before the election and show that every year Labour has been in office, emissions have continued to grow unabated. Far from achieving the promised 20% reduction by 2005, they show that New Zealand is now 26% over its Kyoto target. This contrasts poorly with the records of countries like the UK and Australia, which are on target to meet their Kyoto obligations.

“Every year emissions have gone up, Labour has promised that the answer is just around the corner with its latest policy initiatives. This defensive line is no longer credible, particularly as the projections for 2007 and 2008 are for large increases in emissions as a consequence of record deforestation and the increase in thermal electricity generation.

“These figures are particularly embarrassing for the Prime Minister after her promise of carbon neutrality. It’s just not credible for Labour to promise massive reductions in emissions when it has proved incapable of even stopping them going up.

“These increased emissions are the chickens coming home to roost for a Government that has been all talk and no action on climate change. Every one of its policies, from the negotiated greenhouse gas agreements, and the projects to reduce emissions, to the animal emissions levy, the carbon tax, and its solar water heating grant scheme, have failed.

“National is committed to a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050. Our practical policy agenda will make a real difference where Labour has failed.”

ENDS

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