New Zealand Photovoltaic Association

2 May 2002

"Confirmation that New Zealand would ratify the Kyoto Protocol was very welcome” said Dr Bittar.

"Bringing the Kyoto Protocol into force before the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September is an important, albeit Symbolic, step for New Zealand to take. It is a critical precursor for more countries(including the USA and Australia) joining in the effort to slow down and hopefully try and reverse the now probable damaging climatic events later this century" concluded Dr Bittar.

“ There is however disappointment that the level of support for renewable energy technologies, which is a major means of addressing climate change issues, appears to be so low. We are at last off the starting blocks and the role of renewable energy in helping New Zealand meet its climate change obligations has been acknowledged but much more is needed, and it is needed right now rather than in five or seven years time, to make an impact on the task ahead " commented Dr Tony Bittar, chairman of the New Zealand Photovoltaic Association.

Photovoltaics (PV) or solar electric system production is growing at a staggering 40 per cent per year, and New Zealand was an 'early adaptor' of this revolutionary technology.

BUT the support proposed for renewable energy in New Zealand does not come anywhere near that offered in Australia or the USA. Dr Bittar noted the irony that these countries are not proposing to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and yet they are still doing far more than New Zealand to ensure their industries stay ahead in the huge developing renewable energy market.

ENDS

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