7 December 2015

Groser’s departure a chance to hit ‘refresh’ on climate agenda

The Green Party hopes the departure of Tim Groser as Minister for Climate Change puts to bed an era of hot air and spin from the Government in dealing with New Zealand’s runaway climate pollution.

“The Prime Minister announced today that Tim Groser will be replaced as Minister for Climate Change Issues by Paula Bennett. During Groser’s time as Minister, greenhouse gas emissions actually increased by 10 percent. This put New Zealand in the embarrassing position of fifth highest increaser of emissions in the developed world between 2009 and 2015,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

“Groser should be ashamed of his legacy as Climate Minister, he oversaw a huge increase in New Zealand’s climate pollution.

“His record has included withdrawing New Zealand from an international climate agreement – the Kyoto Protocol – in 2012, and recently announcing a target to cut climate pollution that was called “inadequate” by international climate experts.

“Our hope is that Minister Bennett takes a fresh look at the climate portfolio and recognises that having a clean economy is significantly more beneficial than continuing to subsidise pollution.

“New Zealanders from the business community to members of the public have been calling on the Government to put politics aside and work with other parties on climate change. Our offer to work with the National Government on climate change is still very much on the table.

“The Green Party has put forward a smart plan for cutting climate pollution that supports locally produced energy and clean sectors of the economy. The new Climate Minister Paula Bennett is welcome to use it.

“We also find it baffling that the Prime Minister considered there was a conflict of interest in Minister Bridges becoming Climate Minister given he has been Acting Minister for Climate Change Issues numerous times in the past,” said Ms Turei.

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