The Climate Change Bill
I’m a Blue Greenie – that is some one who loves and respects the outdoors and realises there is a balancing act between the environment and the economy. I’ve always tried to do my bit and have been involved in wetland restoration and ornamental plantings on our property, as I am keen to ensure I leave it in a better state for future generations to enjoy.
Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about climate change and what it all means to our planet, New Zealand and our own region in the Horowhenua. We can all recall the 2004 ‘one in 100-year flood’ when the Manawatu River nearly took out the Whirokino Bridge and droughts in 2003 and again this year that left our patch desert-like. Whether we like it or not, the climate is changing.
Having signed the Kyoto protocol, New Zealand has made an international commitment to play its part in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Doing nothing on climate change is not an option.
However, doing what Prime Minister Helen Clark wants would destroy our economy. She wants New Zealand to be carbon neutral, something that is impossible under current technology and would take many decades to achieve at the same time as destroying our competitive position in world markets.
Ms Clark has demonstrated how committed she is to this target by selling gas guzzling Ford Fairlane Crown Cars and replacing them with expensive BMWs. The Fairlane’s are still being driven around New Zealand (just not by the Crown), so our carbon footprint hasn’t reduced under this dictatorship.
In fact, emissions have gone up every year that Labour has been in Government. Far from leading the world, New Zealand’s emissions growth has been among the worst in the developed world and under Labour more trees have been cut down than planted.
Late last year Labour came up with its most recent attempt at addressing climate change after its fart tax and carbon tax failures. The Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill, commonly called ETS, was supported by National at its first reading, where it was sent to select committee for public submission. The submissions have been a real eye opener with most saying in its present form - it will slow the economy, jobs will be lost and production will decline.
Labour is showing signs of trying to pass this legislation through Parliament before the election and has shown a cavalier style in the select committee where many submitters have been allocated only 10 minutes to make their point. This shows how out of touch Labour has become with real New Zealand.
National supported the first reading because we believe the fairest way of addressing emissions is through a market-based system such as an ETS. But, we are very mindful of the need to strike a balance between environmental responsibility and enhancing our economic opportunities.
Over the weekend I attended our regional conference in Wellington where National Leader John Key outlined our three major policy statements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
· 50% reduction in New Zealand’s carbon-equivalent net emissions, as compared to 1990 levels, by 2050.
· We will work to achieve further global alliances that build on the goals agreed to at Kyoto.
· We believe New Zealand must pursue sound, practical environmental policies to achieve emission reduction. We want to reduce emissions in ways that result in the least cost to society and the economy.
National will not support the ETS in its current form.
Labour has a record of ramming through important pieces of legislation to the detriment of all New Zealanders. Just like its flawed Electoral Finance Act that is suffocating our democracy and difficult to interpret – it is likely some unlucky MP or candidate will end up in court.
We are not giving up on ETS legislation. National is committed to a well-considered, carefully balanced Emissions Trading Scheme for New Zealand. Parliament must take the time needed to get it right. New Zealanders’ livelihoods depend on us taking that time and can’t afford to be whacked in the wallet by poor legislation.
Getting it right will require thoughtful and careful consideration and analysis, a sensible debate, and a sense of realism about the economic implications.
The Horowhenua Kapiti economy is dependent on making sure we get the ETS right. So are you and I.