Government’s “Inadequate” Climate Change Plan Challenged By Solar Industry.

Recent comments made by Climate Ambassador to the UN, Jo Tyndall have sparked anger within New Zealand’s solar energy industry, prompting the question: What price does our government put on New Zealand’s future?

At a meeting in Germany this week, Jo Tyndall said New Zealand’s target of cutting emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 “would represent quite a significantly higher cost to our economy” than action by other countries, because of a dependence on sheep and dairy farming.

“The government may face a greater financial cost reducing our greenhouse emissions compared to other countries, but what’s the greater cost to New Zealand if we pass the buck onto them and don’t combat climate change ourselves?” says Jason.

“It’s true that sheep and dairy farming are big greenhouse gas contributors, but there are other ways New Zealand can lower carbon emissions without reducing herd numbers,” says Solar Living Director Jason Tobin. “This government has done nothing to embrace renewable energy and has no meaningful climate action plan in place.”

Embracing clean, renewable energy like solar to combat greenhouse gas emissions has the potential to drive economic growth instead of limiting it.

“As New Zealand's only manufacturer of solar PV and energy technology for self-micro-generation products, we have seen significant growth in this sector,” says EnaSolar General Manager Trevor Foster. “It is anticipated to be a large growth industry, as seen overseas, that will provide a range of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.”

“Not only does solar and other renewable energy, on a decentralised scale provide jobs, it will also have an impact on climate change. It allows us to leverage off the image our country portrays as a green, clean nation; that promotes tourism along with export earnings without the stated cost to the New Zealand economy. In fact, quite the opposite in my opinion,” says Trevor.

New Zealand’s Climate plan of cutting emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 has been labelled “inadequate” by Climate Action Tracker, an independent group of scientists which monitors the emission commitments and actions of countries around the world.

“Switching from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources like solar is a simple way to address climate change and start meeting that target,” says Jason Tobin. “As a country surrounded by water can we can’t afford to ignore rising sea levels, Christchurch will face increased flooding in some areas and will need also need to address coastal protection.”

Over 50 nations representing 70 percent of world greenhouse gas producers have presented strategies to the United Nations on how they plan to reduce emissions by 2020. These strategies are meant to form the basis of a UN climate deal to be agreed upon in December this year.

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