New Zealand gets a bad report from UN on greenhouse

Green Media Release 21st November 2007

The Greens are calling for renewed efforts to reduce our greenhouse emissions in light of a UN report that shows that New Zealand is amongst one of the worst in the industrialised world for increases in greenhouse gas emissions over the period 1990-2005.

“New Zealand’s greenhouse emissions increased nearly 25% over the period 1990-2005. This places us as one of the outliers amongst industrialised countries, with only a small number of countries such as Spain and Portugal increasing their emissions by significantly more.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is warning that industrialised countries greenhouse emissions are now at a near record high.

“Globally emissions from the transport sector are increasing rapidly, and New Zealand is no exception with the massive road building underway adding to the traffic and emissions. We need to reverse the spending balance between roads and public transport to reduce our emissions and prepare for peak oil.

“This report also puts the pressure on the government to include the dairy sector in the emission trading scheme rather than leaving them out of it until after the Kyoto commitment period. Dairy emissions are rapidly increasing, which is adding to New Zealand’s greenhouse emissions.

“Sweden has reduced its emissions by 7.3% over the period 1990-2005. If we put our minds to it we can do the same.

ENDS

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