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The place for NZ oriented news releases on climate change and related energy policy.
Kyoto a perilous sea for small fish
Deciding whether New Zealand should ratify the Kyoto Protocol to curb global warming should be a no-brainer.
Under the protocol, New Zealand's plantation forests will earn it more carbon credits (rights to emit greenhouse gases) than it will need to cover the excess in emissions over its agreed cap, perhaps twice as many.
In theory, New Zealand could ratify and then do nothing until 2012, when it could peel off some of its wad of forest sink credits to discharge its national obligations under the treaty, with plenty left to sell or bank for use later.
Although that would do nothing to reduce emissions, and environmentalists would be unimpressed for that reason, it would reflect the fact that New Zealand removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere faster than it adds them.
Why, then, are we looking this gift horse in the mouth?
It is because the Government has said that it will not hoard forest sink credits and use them to shield New Zealand emitters from the international price of carbon.
One problem with that undertaking is that it has been made with no internal debate or mandate.
Another is that it assumes a liquid and efficient international market in carbon will develop, to discover the marginal cost of reducing emissions.
Deciding whether New Zealand should ratify the Kyoto Protocol to curb global warming should be a no-brainer.
Under the protocol, New Zealand's plantation forests will earn it more carbon credits (rights to emit greenhouse gases) than it will need to cover the excess in emissions over its agreed cap, perhaps twice as many.
In theory, New Zealand could ratify and then do nothing until 2012, when it could peel off some of its wad of forest sink credits to discharge its national obligations under the treaty, with plenty left to sell or bank for use later.
Although that would do nothing to reduce emissions, and environmentalists would be unimpressed for that reason, it would reflect the fact that New Zealand removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere faster than it adds them.
Why, then, are we looking this gift horse in the mouth?
It is because the Government has said that it will not hoard forest sink credits and use them to shield New Zealand emitters from the international price of carbon.
One problem with that undertaking is that it has been made with no internal debate or mandate.
Another is that it assumes a liquid and efficient international market in carbon will develop, to discover the marginal cost of reducing emissions.
More pressure on Australia to sign Kyoto treaty.
More pressure on Australia to sign Kyoto treaty
Britain's Environment Minister has urged Australia to ratify the proposed Kyoto treaty, saying the best way to convince the United States to join the battle against global warming is for every other country to ratify the accord.
More pressure on Australia to sign Kyoto treaty
Britain's Environment Minister has urged Australia to ratify the proposed Kyoto treaty, saying the best way to convince the United States to join the battle against global warming is for every other country to ratify the accord.
Pupils get say on global warming
Simple explanations of climate change terms have been prepared for young New Zealanders who are being asked for their ideas on how the country should respond to global warming.
Simple explanations of climate change terms have been prepared for young New Zealanders who are being asked for their ideas on how the country should respond to global warming.
New Zealand News - - Companies get together to voice Kyoto policy concerns
A coalition of New Zealand businesses has come together to form a lobby group against the adoption of Kyoto climate change policies.
A coalition of New Zealand businesses has come together to form a lobby group against the adoption of Kyoto climate change policies.
Consultants count cost of the Kyoto Protocol
As business people try to get their heads around what the Kyoto Protocol might mean for them, they face a frustrating lack of hard, quantified information.
As business people try to get their heads around what the Kyoto Protocol might mean for them, they face a frustrating lack of hard, quantified information.
Carbon curbs tipped to push up prices
The Kyoto Protocol to curb global warming could add 4c a litre to the price of petrol and 8 or 9 per cent to commercial and residential electricity prices by 2008, according to a study by PA Consulting Group.
The Kyoto Protocol to curb global warming could add 4c a litre to the price of petrol and 8 or 9 per cent to commercial and residential electricity prices by 2008, according to a study by PA Consulting Group.
The New Zealand Government's Ministerial Group on Climate Change is conducting three national Climate Change Summits in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch between November 29 and December 12 2001.
Members of the public are invited to attend these Summits as observers.
At the Summits, representatives of key "national interest" organisations (those affected by climate change and/or the Government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol) will have an opportunity to state their views on:
* the Government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change; and
* their preferred policy options for New Zealand to manage and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The hearings will give the organisations the opportunity to preview their formal submissions on the Government's response to climate change. The submissions have been called for in response to the first part of the Government's two-stage climate change consultation process. The closing date for all public submissions is 21 December 2001.
Organisations appearing at the Summits will be selected on the basis of their sector or advocacy interest, their representation of a significant number of people or organisations, and the extent to which they may be affected by climate change and the actions the Government decides to take to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The Climate Change Summits will open with an address by the Convenor of the Ministerial Group, the Hon Pete Hodgson. The proceedings will be heard by Chief Executives of key policy departments, as well as the Climate Change Programme Director Brian Roche.
Details of the Climate Change Summits are:
Wellington
Thursday 29 November 2001, 9.00am - 5.00pm
City Cinema, City Gallery, Civic Square, Cnr Mercer & Victoria Street
Christchurch
Tuesday 4 December, 8.00am - 5.00pm
Meeting Rooms 6 & 7, Christchurch Convention Centre, Kilmore Street
Auckland
Wednesday 12 December, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Hauraki Room, Level 1, Aotea Centre, Auckland City
__________________________________________________________________________
Members of the public are invited to attend these Summits as observers.
At the Summits, representatives of key "national interest" organisations (those affected by climate change and/or the Government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol) will have an opportunity to state their views on:
* the Government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change; and
* their preferred policy options for New Zealand to manage and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The hearings will give the organisations the opportunity to preview their formal submissions on the Government's response to climate change. The submissions have been called for in response to the first part of the Government's two-stage climate change consultation process. The closing date for all public submissions is 21 December 2001.
Organisations appearing at the Summits will be selected on the basis of their sector or advocacy interest, their representation of a significant number of people or organisations, and the extent to which they may be affected by climate change and the actions the Government decides to take to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The Climate Change Summits will open with an address by the Convenor of the Ministerial Group, the Hon Pete Hodgson. The proceedings will be heard by Chief Executives of key policy departments, as well as the Climate Change Programme Director Brian Roche.
Details of the Climate Change Summits are:
Wellington
Thursday 29 November 2001, 9.00am - 5.00pm
City Cinema, City Gallery, Civic Square, Cnr Mercer & Victoria Street
Christchurch
Tuesday 4 December, 8.00am - 5.00pm
Meeting Rooms 6 & 7, Christchurch Convention Centre, Kilmore Street
Auckland
Wednesday 12 December, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Hauraki Room, Level 1, Aotea Centre, Auckland City
__________________________________________________________________________
Time To Talk Economic Sense On Kyoto Protocol
The debate over climate change policy will not be advanced by selective and misleading interpretations of economic data, says the Convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson.
The debate over climate change policy will not be advanced by selective and misleading interpretations of economic data, says the Convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson.
Kyoto to undermine investor confidence
Business people attending the consultation briefings on Government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol next year were very concerned this morning to hear Energy Minister Pete Hodgson believes a lower New Zealand exchange rate would compensate local producers for the higher energy costs brought about by the Protocol.
Business people attending the consultation briefings on Government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol next year were very concerned this morning to hear Energy Minister Pete Hodgson believes a lower New Zealand exchange rate would compensate local producers for the higher energy costs brought about by the Protocol.
Climate Change Information For Schools Released
School students are being given the opportunity to participate in a nationwide consultation process on how New Zealand should respond to climate change.
School students are being given the opportunity to participate in a nationwide consultation process on how New Zealand should respond to climate change.
FAQ on Domestic Implementation
Four questions:
Isn't the Science Uncertain?
Why are we Ratifying Ahead of our Trading Partners and Rivals?
Why are We Accepting This New Cost - It Will Affect our Competitiveness?
New Zealand is Such a Small Contributor - Why Should We Do Anything?
Four questions:
Isn't the Science Uncertain?
Why are we Ratifying Ahead of our Trading Partners and Rivals?
Why are We Accepting This New Cost - It Will Affect our Competitiveness?
New Zealand is Such a Small Contributor - Why Should We Do Anything?
Hodgson defends forest concessions to Russia
Climate Change and Forests Minister Pete Hodgson rejects claims by the Forest Industries Council that a sweeter deal for Russia under the Kyoto Protocol will disadvantage New Zealand.
Climate Change and Forests Minister Pete Hodgson rejects claims by the Forest Industries Council that a sweeter deal for Russia under the Kyoto Protocol will disadvantage New Zealand.
Managing Cabon / Climate Risk
Nine things New Zealand and its industries can do about managing these risks
Nine things New Zealand and its industries can do about managing these risks
Hodgson speech to Federated Farmers
... it’s disappointing that the analysis of climate change issues by some commentators, including Federated Farmers, has been uniquely on the costs of action. There is a curious reluctance to consider the costs of inaction, or the benefits of a constructive response.
... it’s disappointing that the analysis of climate change issues by some commentators, including Federated Farmers, has been uniquely on the costs of action. There is a curious reluctance to consider the costs of inaction, or the benefits of a constructive response.
NZWEA Conference Confernence Papers offered on CD
Report from the Wind Energy Association's annual conference. Papers and overheads.
Report from the Wind Energy Association's annual conference. Papers and overheads.
World Summit on Sustainable Development
The Marrakech Ministerial Declaration is the conference of the parties message to the second World Summit Conference. It is a feeble document giving no direction for the future. That is perhaps little surprise given the fractious way the parties have behaved in the UNFCCC conferences.
Some greater vision is needed from the world's leaders,
We much prefer the suggested declaration from CAN. (reproduced here)
The Marrakech Ministerial Declaration is the conference of the parties message to the second World Summit Conference. It is a feeble document giving no direction for the future. That is perhaps little surprise given the fractious way the parties have behaved in the UNFCCC conferences.
Some greater vision is needed from the world's leaders,
We much prefer the suggested declaration from CAN. (reproduced here)
Manukau Must Reduce Its Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A report on how Manukau City contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change has been released by Manukau City Council. The report is a forerunner to an action plan to reduce emission levels.
A report on how Manukau City contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change has been released by Manukau City Council. The report is a forerunner to an action plan to reduce emission levels.
New Zealand Climate Change Programme - Economic Analysis Reports
The Government has released three economic analysis reports.
The Government has released three economic analysis reports.
NZ to finalise Kyoto legislation
Climate change legislation is expected to be introduced to New Zealand in the next six months, after international ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in Morocco.
Climate change legislation is expected to be introduced to New Zealand in the next six months, after international ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in Morocco.
Climate conference reaches deal
Negotiators in the Moroccan city of Marrakech have agreed the final details of how the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and global warming will work.
Negotiators in the Moroccan city of Marrakech have agreed the final details of how the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and global warming will work.
Marrakesh Update Friday PM
Ministerial negotiations continue here. The risk of a non-result remains. Slow progress is reported on some issues but a couple of big ones remain. New Zealand remains un-satisfied on some key matters of importance to it.
Ministerial negotiations continue here. The risk of a non-result remains. Slow progress is reported on some issues but a couple of big ones remain. New Zealand remains un-satisfied on some key matters of importance to it.
FOREST SINKS NOT INVALIDATED
Press release: Environmental Defence Society
The announcement of a group of experts from London that forest sinks may not be permanent is another attempt to sway negotiators at the Marrakech climate negotiations to an extreme view, according to the Environmental Defence Society.
Spokesperson for the Society, Mr Garry Law who is attending the conference said;
"the extreme lobby against sinks lost the argument at Kyoto four years ago. Their interventions to re-argue their case since then have done little but undermine progress to setting the rules for getting the Kyoto Protocol into operation.
"Sequestering carbon in trees is a good place to start addressing the problem. The atmosphere will feel the benefit of sinks that are genuinely new. The Kyoto rules can ensure that they are. That trees are less permanent than leaving fossil fuel in the ground, that ever more areas of new planting cannot be a long term solution are legitimate points but they are not sufficient. The world needs some opportunities to start tackling the emission problem while the technologies for renewable energy are developed. Indeed the trees planted as sinks have every prospect of begin part of that renewable energy ?biofuel.
"If trees turn out not to be permanent the accounting rules under Kyoto will mean that the emissions will be debits that have to be covered by new savings.
"The countries that register sink credits will have every incentive to ensure their permanency, said Mr Law.
"To call trees as sinks a right to pollute is misleading. So are the historically based emission rights all the developed countries are collecting. Forest sinks are much greener than them because the forests hold the prospect of future use for biofuel, where a large part of the world's energy has to come from in future. New Zealand has an opportunity to develop the harvesting and processing technology to do that better than today.
Press release: Environmental Defence Society
The announcement of a group of experts from London that forest sinks may not be permanent is another attempt to sway negotiators at the Marrakech climate negotiations to an extreme view, according to the Environmental Defence Society.
Spokesperson for the Society, Mr Garry Law who is attending the conference said;
"the extreme lobby against sinks lost the argument at Kyoto four years ago. Their interventions to re-argue their case since then have done little but undermine progress to setting the rules for getting the Kyoto Protocol into operation.
"Sequestering carbon in trees is a good place to start addressing the problem. The atmosphere will feel the benefit of sinks that are genuinely new. The Kyoto rules can ensure that they are. That trees are less permanent than leaving fossil fuel in the ground, that ever more areas of new planting cannot be a long term solution are legitimate points but they are not sufficient. The world needs some opportunities to start tackling the emission problem while the technologies for renewable energy are developed. Indeed the trees planted as sinks have every prospect of begin part of that renewable energy ?biofuel.
"If trees turn out not to be permanent the accounting rules under Kyoto will mean that the emissions will be debits that have to be covered by new savings.
"The countries that register sink credits will have every incentive to ensure their permanency, said Mr Law.
"To call trees as sinks a right to pollute is misleading. So are the historically based emission rights all the developed countries are collecting. Forest sinks are much greener than them because the forests hold the prospect of future use for biofuel, where a large part of the world's energy has to come from in future. New Zealand has an opportunity to develop the harvesting and processing technology to do that better than today.
Marrakech Update Friday AM
On the last day of the conference various endgame gambits have come into play.
Reportedly Canada and Japan are hanging tough on an aspect of compliance ?despite it previously being announced as settled. Tradability and bankability of sinks credits remains an un-agreed area.
Supposedly final versions of papers proposed by chairs are proving to have new text that has never been proposed in negotiating groups or contact groups.
There is an underlying text to these efforts that is towards restricting the tradability of carbon, or the bankability of carbon credits for the second commitment period ?in particular sinks credits.
The supposed dominance of market systems in the worlds economies would be hard to detect from the behaviour of some at this conference.
What is driving them? ? Its hard to know. Certainly with some it may be naivete The political and official representation here is dominated by those with environmental labels with little apreciation of what benefits markets can bring to this issue.
Some may still be hankering after the long running environmentalists push against forest sinks credits and seeking to limit them even when it makes no environmental sense. They are thus seeking to reopen a matter settled at Kyoto.
As well there is certainly little consideration by some that parties like New Zealand want to allow entities to trade. The rules they propose mean there is sovereign risk that only a country can manage, risk that no non-government entity would take on.
Limiting the operation of carbon markets is no way to act if a major priority must be to get the USA back in the frame. Their effective presence is missed on this and other issues.
Free trade and bankability of carbon credits are simply good environmental economics.
The chance of a successful conclusion to this conference must be classified as endangered at this point.
Expect a Friday all-nighter.
On the last day of the conference various endgame gambits have come into play.
Reportedly Canada and Japan are hanging tough on an aspect of compliance ?despite it previously being announced as settled. Tradability and bankability of sinks credits remains an un-agreed area.
Supposedly final versions of papers proposed by chairs are proving to have new text that has never been proposed in negotiating groups or contact groups.
There is an underlying text to these efforts that is towards restricting the tradability of carbon, or the bankability of carbon credits for the second commitment period ?in particular sinks credits.
The supposed dominance of market systems in the worlds economies would be hard to detect from the behaviour of some at this conference.
What is driving them? ? Its hard to know. Certainly with some it may be naivete The political and official representation here is dominated by those with environmental labels with little apreciation of what benefits markets can bring to this issue.
Some may still be hankering after the long running environmentalists push against forest sinks credits and seeking to limit them even when it makes no environmental sense. They are thus seeking to reopen a matter settled at Kyoto.
As well there is certainly little consideration by some that parties like New Zealand want to allow entities to trade. The rules they propose mean there is sovereign risk that only a country can manage, risk that no non-government entity would take on.
Limiting the operation of carbon markets is no way to act if a major priority must be to get the USA back in the frame. Their effective presence is missed on this and other issues.
Free trade and bankability of carbon credits are simply good environmental economics.
The chance of a successful conclusion to this conference must be classified as endangered at this point.
Expect a Friday all-nighter.
Statement of Pete Hodgson to the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties Marrakech
Mr President
The New Zealand delegation would like to thank Morocco for hosting this meeting. It is the first time that the Kyoto Protocol meeting has been held on this continent, and for many in our delegation it is the first time we have set foot on African soil. It is a delight to be in Marrakech.
If the Hague was an unpredicted failure, and Bonn was an unpredicted success, then Marrakech must be a predicable closure of the issues that have consumed us for long enough.
Here is why this meeting, COP7, must resolve procedurally the issues that we have resolved politically already:
RIO+10, the tenth anniversary of the beginning of this journey, is upon us in ten months. The next 48 hours matter. In them we must demonstrate our ability to reach for solutions, not problems.
The challenge of COP7 is to retain both the spirit and the detail of Bonn and see it pass into settled text tomorrow or Friday. Differences, ambiguities and genuine mistakes remain, but they are all modest and resolvable. For some of us the challenge will be knowing when to stop negotiating, recalling the whole purpose of meeting is to get to yes.”
It is New Zealand’s intention to ratify next September. We are the only Umbrella Group nation to have made such a commitment, although we confidently predict that we will be in good company before too long. The chances of the protocol coming into force in South Africa next year are now good.
Why does New Zealand intend to ratify?
- Because the scientific evidence of climate change has become stronger, more certain, more compelling. The genuine sceptics of five or ten years ago are now something of a global fringe group. Climate change is here and it is becoming more and more evident.
- Because New Zealand, as an international citizen, has international obligations – and we mean to discharge those obligations.
- Because New Zealand is a developed nation which enjoys that status primarily because it has an equable, predictable climate. Our primary industries matter greatly to us and they cannot flourish if we are to have more floods, droughts or severe storms.
- Because New Zealand is part of what we call Oceania and because Oceania includes many neighbours and friends of ours who live on low-lying Pacific atolls. These are small nations whose very existence is threatened by the prospect of rising sea levels.
- Because finally the economic opportunities that Kyoto presents are significant.
The protocol is about going with technology, not going without. It is about using energy more efficiently; about accelerating the arrival of renewable energy; about reducing our ecological footprint; and about saving or making money as a result. It is about quickening technology transfer, so that emerging nations need not experience the chapter of waste that developed nations have experienced.
So, to a gathering of mostly environmentally-oriented policy-makers, I assert that the Kyoto Protocol is about technology, innovation and economic progress – for developed and developing nations alike.
It’s time we moved on.
Mr President
The New Zealand delegation would like to thank Morocco for hosting this meeting. It is the first time that the Kyoto Protocol meeting has been held on this continent, and for many in our delegation it is the first time we have set foot on African soil. It is a delight to be in Marrakech.
If the Hague was an unpredicted failure, and Bonn was an unpredicted success, then Marrakech must be a predicable closure of the issues that have consumed us for long enough.
Here is why this meeting, COP7, must resolve procedurally the issues that we have resolved politically already:
RIO+10, the tenth anniversary of the beginning of this journey, is upon us in ten months. The next 48 hours matter. In them we must demonstrate our ability to reach for solutions, not problems.
The challenge of COP7 is to retain both the spirit and the detail of Bonn and see it pass into settled text tomorrow or Friday. Differences, ambiguities and genuine mistakes remain, but they are all modest and resolvable. For some of us the challenge will be knowing when to stop negotiating, recalling the whole purpose of meeting is to get to yes.”
It is New Zealand’s intention to ratify next September. We are the only Umbrella Group nation to have made such a commitment, although we confidently predict that we will be in good company before too long. The chances of the protocol coming into force in South Africa next year are now good.
Why does New Zealand intend to ratify?
- Because the scientific evidence of climate change has become stronger, more certain, more compelling. The genuine sceptics of five or ten years ago are now something of a global fringe group. Climate change is here and it is becoming more and more evident.
- Because New Zealand, as an international citizen, has international obligations – and we mean to discharge those obligations.
- Because New Zealand is a developed nation which enjoys that status primarily because it has an equable, predictable climate. Our primary industries matter greatly to us and they cannot flourish if we are to have more floods, droughts or severe storms.
- Because New Zealand is part of what we call Oceania and because Oceania includes many neighbours and friends of ours who live on low-lying Pacific atolls. These are small nations whose very existence is threatened by the prospect of rising sea levels.
- Because finally the economic opportunities that Kyoto presents are significant.
The protocol is about going with technology, not going without. It is about using energy more efficiently; about accelerating the arrival of renewable energy; about reducing our ecological footprint; and about saving or making money as a result. It is about quickening technology transfer, so that emerging nations need not experience the chapter of waste that developed nations have experienced.
So, to a gathering of mostly environmentally-oriented policy-makers, I assert that the Kyoto Protocol is about technology, innovation and economic progress – for developed and developing nations alike.
It’s time we moved on.
The editor of NBR's sublime confidence that New Zealand could be better off with a warmer clime is one of isolationist arrogance. For a start it is almost certainly not. Climate change is not just about temperature. It is also about droughts, storminess, extreme rainfalls, sea level rise and the ability of native plants and animals to reproduce in their present ranges. It is also about the viability of some of our traditional agricultural practices in their present ranges. Our investments in sea defences, flood protection, water supply systems for towns and irrigation may all prove inadequate. Certainly the ski industry has a doubtful future. Better off? Not likely.
Then the editor swallows the little New Zealand argument. One coal fired power station in China or the contribution of one US state of similar size to New Zealand are small producers too. Reduced to a small enough scale no-one seems significant, but everyone is, when added together.
The economic costs unthinkable? Perhaps a little thought needs to be applied. There is a benefit as well as a cost.
One hopes the leadership of New Zealand industry exceeds this in its level of analysis. One fossil of the month award coming up.
G Law
Then the editor swallows the little New Zealand argument. One coal fired power station in China or the contribution of one US state of similar size to New Zealand are small producers too. Reduced to a small enough scale no-one seems significant, but everyone is, when added together.
The economic costs unthinkable? Perhaps a little thought needs to be applied. There is a benefit as well as a cost.
One hopes the leadership of New Zealand industry exceeds this in its level of analysis. One fossil of the month award coming up.
G Law
NBR Editorial
In Marrakech, Morocco, there is yet another push for the Kyoto Protocol, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
These gases are being blamed for climate change that is gradually warming the Earth©ös temperature. While the science is still debatable, and the economic costs unthinkable, New Zealand is committed to ratifying the Protocol.
While the reality is this country is a minor producer of such gases, and most of it is a by product of agricultural production, the implications for business are only just starting to sink in. Opposition is growing while the government seems determined to press on regardless of the consequences.
While much is made of the climactic downside for the world, and more extreme weather patterns, New Zealand is one country that could be better off with a warmer clime.
In Marrakech, Morocco, there is yet another push for the Kyoto Protocol, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
These gases are being blamed for climate change that is gradually warming the Earth©ös temperature. While the science is still debatable, and the economic costs unthinkable, New Zealand is committed to ratifying the Protocol.
While the reality is this country is a minor producer of such gases, and most of it is a by product of agricultural production, the implications for business are only just starting to sink in. Opposition is growing while the government seems determined to press on regardless of the consequences.
While much is made of the climactic downside for the world, and more extreme weather patterns, New Zealand is one country that could be better off with a warmer clime.
Marrakech Update
Wednesday -
The climate change conference is moving slowly to a conclusion. Delegates last night applauded the achievement of agreement over compliance issues.
However there still remain serious difficulties over Russia's demand for more forest sinks credits than were allowed in the Bonn agreement. Other sticking points remain over attempts to roll back some of the concessions made at Bonn, and on the tradability and bankability of sinks credits.
Pete Hodgson, the leader of the NZ delegation was given an early task by the President of the conference to undertake informal soundings on finalising the provisions for the land use land use change and forestry.
Wednesday -
The climate change conference is moving slowly to a conclusion. Delegates last night applauded the achievement of agreement over compliance issues.
However there still remain serious difficulties over Russia's demand for more forest sinks credits than were allowed in the Bonn agreement. Other sticking points remain over attempts to roll back some of the concessions made at Bonn, and on the tradability and bankability of sinks credits.
Pete Hodgson, the leader of the NZ delegation was given an early task by the President of the conference to undertake informal soundings on finalising the provisions for the land use land use change and forestry.
Press release form the Environmental Defence Society 6 November 2001
Immediate
NEW ZEALAND NEEDS TO RATIFY KYOTO
The Environmental Defence Society has reacted to a call from Carter Holt Harvey to halt progress towards ratifying the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Climate Change Convention on Climate Change.
Speaking from Marrakech where the parties to the Convention are meeting, Mr Garry Law, Climate Change Convenor for EDS said;
¡°There is every prospect the conference will resolve the remaining issues over rules for applying the Protocol and present a Protocol that is able to be ratified.
¡°New Zealanders contribute to global emissions at a rate far above the world average. We are part of the problem and must be part of the solution.
¡°The cost will come into play later this decade. To point to the current global recession as a reason to delay as CHH have done, makes no sense. What the state of the economic cycle will be years from now is anybody¡¯s guess.
It is also disingenuous to point just to the costs that carbon emitters will attract as if they are just an extra tax. What they will be is a shift in where the tax burden falls.
¡°There will always be a competitiveness cost for some industries. If there was no problem there would be no impact. There is a problem, Mr Law said. Knowing sooner where the costs will fall makes sense so industries can plan around the impact and ideally reduce their emissions in the process.
¡°Carter Holt fail to even mention that New Zealand will also benefit from selling its forest carbon sinks credits. Without ratification of Kyoto they are worthless.
¡°The Government is to be commended for its progress towards ratification and domestic implementation.
It is not a minute to soon, said Mr Law.
Immediate
NEW ZEALAND NEEDS TO RATIFY KYOTO
The Environmental Defence Society has reacted to a call from Carter Holt Harvey to halt progress towards ratifying the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Climate Change Convention on Climate Change.
Speaking from Marrakech where the parties to the Convention are meeting, Mr Garry Law, Climate Change Convenor for EDS said;
¡°There is every prospect the conference will resolve the remaining issues over rules for applying the Protocol and present a Protocol that is able to be ratified.
¡°New Zealanders contribute to global emissions at a rate far above the world average. We are part of the problem and must be part of the solution.
¡°The cost will come into play later this decade. To point to the current global recession as a reason to delay as CHH have done, makes no sense. What the state of the economic cycle will be years from now is anybody¡¯s guess.
It is also disingenuous to point just to the costs that carbon emitters will attract as if they are just an extra tax. What they will be is a shift in where the tax burden falls.
¡°There will always be a competitiveness cost for some industries. If there was no problem there would be no impact. There is a problem, Mr Law said. Knowing sooner where the costs will fall makes sense so industries can plan around the impact and ideally reduce their emissions in the process.
¡°Carter Holt fail to even mention that New Zealand will also benefit from selling its forest carbon sinks credits. Without ratification of Kyoto they are worthless.
¡°The Government is to be commended for its progress towards ratification and domestic implementation.
It is not a minute to soon, said Mr Law.
Government must address Kyoto threat
Press Release: Carter Holt Harvey
With the world staring down the barrel of a recession the government has to pull back its timetable for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol Carter Holt Harvey’s Chief Operating Officer Jay Goodenbour said today.
Press Release: Carter Holt Harvey
With the world staring down the barrel of a recession the government has to pull back its timetable for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol Carter Holt Harvey’s Chief Operating Officer Jay Goodenbour said today.
