Kyoto scientist compares apples with oranges

Media release 19 February 2002

Kyoto scientist compares apples with oranges

A visiting scientist is using invalid comparisons in his bid to promote the Kyoto Protocol, says Business NZ.

Business NZ Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says Dr Robert Watson, currently in NZ to advocate ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, is wrong to compare New Zealand with large US corporates such as AT&T, Dow Chemical, or Ford who are reportedly taking early action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Their action is encouraging as it underscores the validity of the US decision not to ratify. But it is not justifiable to compare them to New Zealand - none of these corporates operates as a national economy does, and most of them have balance sheets far stronger than the New Zealand economy.

"The OECD recently grouped countries according to GDP per capita. * New Zealand has the dubious distinction of being classified a 'low middle-income' country along with the likes of Cyprus, Malta and Slovenia.

"Most if not all of the corporates Dr Watson is citing would dwarf all these countries," Mr Carlaw said.

* http://www.oecd.org/pdf/M00025000/M00025222.pdf

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