29 November 2007

Holcim decision a millstone for NZ's climate change efforts

The Green Party is very disappointed with an interim decision indicating support for cement giant Holcim's plans to build a massive cement plant at Weston, near Oamaru.

"The interim resource consent decision, issued by the three commissioners hearing the application, flies in the face of the overwhelming opposition to this plant," Conservation Spokesperson Metiria Turei says.

This plant will impact Weston School, Oamaru township and the environment in general, as well as contributing massively to climate change.

"This one factory could emit up to 800,000 tonnes of CO2 each year in addition to the mercury, dioxins and sulphur dioxide from the manufacturing process.

"The decision to allow this project to proceed is absurd and negates the efforts of those New Zealanders who are doing all they can to try to combat climate change.

"It also goes against the recent decision by the High Court in the case between Greenpeace and Mighty River, which ruled in favour of Greenpeace and found that regional councils must take climate change into account when considering applications for discharge of greenhouse gases. This should give all resource management decision-makers pause for thought as to the critical importance of climate change impacts.

"The next step is to look at the conditions the panel plans to impose on Holcim and whether or not these are able to mitigate any of these impacts - I strongly doubt it," Mrs Turei says.

ENDS

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