Climate Defence Network Welcomes Legislation On Ratification Of Kyoto Protocol

Wednesday 22 May 2002: The New Zealand Climate Defence Network today welcomed the Government’s progress on ratification of the Kyoto Protocol with the introduction of ‘enabling legislation’ into Parliament.

The bill coincides this week with Japan’s House of Representatives’ decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and Norway becoming the 55th country to ratify. This is important, as one of the prerequisites for entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol is that 55 countries have ratified.

“The momentum for Kyoto to come into force in time for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August, is growing as more and more governments join the international effort to tackle global climate change,” said Robbie Kelman, spokesperson Climate Defence Network.

“The New Zealand Government should be congratulated for taking a leadership position on this issue in the face of continuing sniping by polluting industry,” said Kelman.

Not all New Zealand businesses are against ratification. BP New Zealand’s Managing Director, Peter Griffiths, this week wrote to Greenpeace stating, ‘BP New Zealand supports our Government’s decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in August.’

“Ratifying the Kyoto Protocol is an important first step in the international effort to prevent dangerous levels of climate change.

“Organisations and individuals that genuinely believe climate change is global problem, requiring a global solution must support ratification. This should be seen as separate from New Zealand’s domestic policies to reduce emissions, which will continue to be debated,” said Kelman.

For more information: Barry Weeber 025 6227369 or Robbie Kelman 021 565 165

The NZ Climate Defence Network (CDN) is a partnership between a growing list of environmental and social concerned NGOs including ECO, Environmental Defence Society, Forest & Bird, Federated Mountain Clubs, Friends of the Earth NZ, Greenpeace
NZ, Pacific Institute of Resource Management, Cycling Advocates Network, Engineers for Social Responsibility, MedEco, and the Sustainable Energy Forum.