Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Emissions Target Will Not Go Down Well
Emissions Target Will Not Go Down Well
Auckland Monday 10 2009 - The Government cannot expect its emission reduction target range to go down well internationally, says Greenpeace.
“Crucially, it has not offered up any unconditional target at all, making us virtually the only developed country in the negotiations without one,” said Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner Simon Boxer.
“What the New Zealand Government is saying with its highly conditional range of 10-20% is that unless other countries shoulder New Zealand’s burden, then there’s no deal. This is an incredibly dangerous position to take at such a crucial time.
“It also means the Government has an easy way out if a global deal isn’t easily reached. John Key is setting the benchmark low and thereby dragging other countries down.
“On the one hand the government says it agrees with the idea of keeping global warming below 2 degrees, but its target range doesn’t give us even a slim chance of keeping warming below 2 degrees.
“We have a long long way to go before New Zealand is a constructive player at the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December; 10-20% does not even put us at the LOWER rung of what the science says is required. They have fired a dart and the dart hasn’t even hit the dartboard.
He said the figures being used by the government to support such a low target range were meaningless and they needed to stop citing them. “This is National’s biggest political decision and it’s disappointing that it has relied on irrelevant economic modelling to reach it.”
The Infometrics/ NZIER modelling used by the Government to decide on a target has been widely described as being the wrong tool for the job, a view borne out by a highly critical report released today by Dr Hugh Saddler (1).
“The abatement costs estimated by the modelling are a gross over-estimate of what it would actually cost to reduce New Zealand’s emissions,” said Saddler. “In light of many deficiencies, we conclude that the modelling approach is an entirely inappropriate tool for informing decisions about what emissions abatement target should be adopted by New Zealand.”
The Government had also chosen to ignore the urgency and threat of climate change, said Boxer. “The most recent climate science assessment (2) states that a 40% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 on 1990 levels for the developed world is essential to give us even a 50:50 chance of avoiding runaway catastrophic climate change.
“Over 90,000 Kiwis have joined the Sign On campaign, which calls for a 40% target and support for the campaign will only continue to grow in the lead up to Copenhagen.
“The names of the leaders who either succeed or fail at Copenhagen will go down in the history books – we remain hopeful that John Key will to what’s necessary, Sign On to 40%, and be remembered for taking the difficult decisions when it really counted and allowing New Zealand to hold its head up high on the world stage. With a conditional target range of 10-20% we’re at risk of looking like laggards and destroying our clean green reputation.”
(1) Comments on General Equilibrium Analysis of a 40% Reduction in Emissions by 2020 - http://greenpeace.org.nz/pdf/comments-on-infometrics.pdf. Dr Hugh Saddler has been involved in the development of national energy policy in the UK and Australia, including the development of emissions trading schemes. He is the author of a book on Australian energy policy, 'Energy in Australia' and over 50 scientific papers, monographs and articles on energy technology and environmental policy, and is recognised as one of Australia's leading experts in this field. He is currently a member of the Experts Group on Emissions Trading, appointed by the Australian Greenhouse Office
(2) University of Copenhagen, Synthessis Report, Climate Change Global Risks Challenges and Decisions Copenhagen 2009 10 – 12 March www.climatecongress.ku.dk
Auckland Monday 10 2009 - The Government cannot expect its emission reduction target range to go down well internationally, says Greenpeace.
“Crucially, it has not offered up any unconditional target at all, making us virtually the only developed country in the negotiations without one,” said Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner Simon Boxer.
“What the New Zealand Government is saying with its highly conditional range of 10-20% is that unless other countries shoulder New Zealand’s burden, then there’s no deal. This is an incredibly dangerous position to take at such a crucial time.
“It also means the Government has an easy way out if a global deal isn’t easily reached. John Key is setting the benchmark low and thereby dragging other countries down.
“On the one hand the government says it agrees with the idea of keeping global warming below 2 degrees, but its target range doesn’t give us even a slim chance of keeping warming below 2 degrees.
“We have a long long way to go before New Zealand is a constructive player at the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December; 10-20% does not even put us at the LOWER rung of what the science says is required. They have fired a dart and the dart hasn’t even hit the dartboard.
He said the figures being used by the government to support such a low target range were meaningless and they needed to stop citing them. “This is National’s biggest political decision and it’s disappointing that it has relied on irrelevant economic modelling to reach it.”
The Infometrics/ NZIER modelling used by the Government to decide on a target has been widely described as being the wrong tool for the job, a view borne out by a highly critical report released today by Dr Hugh Saddler (1).
“The abatement costs estimated by the modelling are a gross over-estimate of what it would actually cost to reduce New Zealand’s emissions,” said Saddler. “In light of many deficiencies, we conclude that the modelling approach is an entirely inappropriate tool for informing decisions about what emissions abatement target should be adopted by New Zealand.”
The Government had also chosen to ignore the urgency and threat of climate change, said Boxer. “The most recent climate science assessment (2) states that a 40% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 on 1990 levels for the developed world is essential to give us even a 50:50 chance of avoiding runaway catastrophic climate change.
“Over 90,000 Kiwis have joined the Sign On campaign, which calls for a 40% target and support for the campaign will only continue to grow in the lead up to Copenhagen.
“The names of the leaders who either succeed or fail at Copenhagen will go down in the history books – we remain hopeful that John Key will to what’s necessary, Sign On to 40%, and be remembered for taking the difficult decisions when it really counted and allowing New Zealand to hold its head up high on the world stage. With a conditional target range of 10-20% we’re at risk of looking like laggards and destroying our clean green reputation.”
(1) Comments on General Equilibrium Analysis of a 40% Reduction in Emissions by 2020 - http://greenpeace.org.nz/pdf/comments-on-infometrics.pdf. Dr Hugh Saddler has been involved in the development of national energy policy in the UK and Australia, including the development of emissions trading schemes. He is the author of a book on Australian energy policy, 'Energy in Australia' and over 50 scientific papers, monographs and articles on energy technology and environmental policy, and is recognised as one of Australia's leading experts in this field. He is currently a member of the Experts Group on Emissions Trading, appointed by the Australian Greenhouse Office
(2) University of Copenhagen, Synthessis Report, Climate Change Global Risks Challenges and Decisions Copenhagen 2009 10 – 12 March www.climatecongress.ku.dk
ENDS
Greenpeace
Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice.
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
National Maori Authority: Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track Legislation
NZ Government: Comprehensive Partnership The Goal For NZ And The Philippines
DoC: Canterbury Spotted Skink In Serious Trouble
Te Pāti Māori: Oranga Tamariki Cuts Commit Tamariki To State Abuse
NZCTU: Inflation Data Shows Need For A Plan On Climate And Population
Statistics New Zealand: Annual Inflation At 4.0 Percent
