Generation Zero report shows New Zealand's carbon pollution will grow

The Government is happy to sit on its hands and ignore the very real challenges facing our economy, says Labour’s Climate Change Spokesperson Moana Mackey.

“Labour is welcoming the report ‘A challenge to our leaders: Why New Zealand needs a clean energy plan’ released by Generation Zero today. The burden of that inaction will fall heavily on future generations and Generation Zero are right to speak up on behalf of young New Zealanders calling for action today.

“The report shows the Governments climate policies will have about the same impact as if we had no climate change policies in place at all - shaving just 0.4% off total greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 compared with business as usual.

“Labour is committed to transitioning our economy away from a reliance on fossil fuels to a high-tech low carbon economy that takes full advantage of technologies and solutions that are available right now and renewable resources which will never run out. In doing so we will safeguard New Zealand’s future energy security and usher in a new era of home-grown manufacturing based around secure, renewable energy technologies providing safe long-term jobs and opportunities.

“This is about future-proofing the New Zealand economy. Climate change isn’t going away and fossil fuels are only going to increase in price. The current Government has made it clear that they have no plan and no interest in addressing what is the single most pressing issue facing our planet. They are happy to mortgage future generations with the debt of their apathy.

“If the National government is committed to action on climate change they could pick up and fast-track my members bill currently in the ballot which would restrict the cheap international units which have collapsed the New Zealand carbon price. This one simple measure would send a strong message, particularly to those in the forestry sector, that our government is serious about doing our bit and reducing our gross greenhouse gas emissions.

“A Labour government will take climate change seriously and commit to a clean energy future.”

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