Climate Change Minister David Parker has climbed into the debate on the Infometrics report on the Government's carbon netrality goals. Minister Parker rejects the report.
There is no mismatch between the goal of raising New Zealanders’ standards of living and of becoming carbon neutral, the Minister said.
“The report does not take into account the new technologies already being developed here and elsewhere which will allow us to reduce emissions while growing the economy. These include electric cars, carbon capture and storage, new solar technology, second generation biofuels, nitrogen inhibitors and many more.”
The whole world is now focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and for New Zealand companies to do business successfully in this environment we must supply low carbon goods and services or be shut out of the market, David Parker said.
The Hive agrees with Minister Parker that technology is the likely answer to solving the climate change challenge, but would be more encouraged that the Infometrics report is "scaremongering" if Government would produce some strong analysis to prove that its proposed policies will achieve the desired reductions at the same time as allowing economic growth to occur. The Hive would also be happier about policy if we were seen to be working in the same policy space as Australia. Australia - even under the Rudd Government, is being much more cautious than the policy being proposed by New Zealand.
