Green Growth Advisory Group can't tackle real problem - Environment Commissioner

The Green Growth Advisory Group has not been given the scope it needs to do its job properly the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright has warned in her submission on the group.

Dr Wright says the terms of reference for the advisory group are too narrow.

"The group's terms of reference are limited to small and medium businesses. By definition that means it is unable to address those large greenhouse gas emitters whose emissions are being heavily subsidised by the taxpayer.

"These large emitters have real potential to damage our clean green image overseas and are being subsidised for that pollution.

"Focusing on small and medium enterprises is important as most of our companies fall into these categories, but their efforts could be undermined by large carbon-intensive industries.

"I am particularly concerned that the group is prohibited from investigating the looming expansion of lignite exploitation despite the fact it represents a future for New Zealand that is focused on anything but green growth."

In her 2010 report on lignite, Dr Wright recommended the creation of a "Clean Green Taskforce" to explore growing New Zealand's green economy, including addressing the risk of exploitation of lignite on a huge scale.

ENDS

A copy of the submission is available here green-growth-issues-for-new-zealand-feedback-to-the-green-growth-advisory-group stage=Live

A copy of Dr Wright's 2010 report, Lignite and climate change: The high risk of low grade coal is available here lignite-and-climate-change-the-high-cost-of-low-grade-coal.

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