NGOs raise concern over climate change

30 March 2007

A number of non-government organisations (NGOs) and other civil society organisations are calling on the government to set explicit targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

WWF New Zealand, the Pacific Institute of Resource Management (PIRM), New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and Oxfam New Zealand are making submissions on strategy papers on climate change tomorrow.

The consultation is part of a 'whole-of-government' climate change work programme being implemented over the next year and includes five separate strategies. Two on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other on energy efficiency and conservation, sustainable land management and a draft New Zealand energy strategy to 2050.

Concern has been raised that the multiple documents overlap considerably with repetition throughout, but lack an overarching framework with explicit targets for emissions reduction. The single due date for submissions has also made it difficult for NGOs to respond. More time is required for due consideration on so many documents.

Oxfam New Zealand welcomed the initiative to develop coherent climate change policy, but remains concerned that the five policy documents do not establish an overarching framework with bold, achievable and measurable targets for action to address the significant and pressing challenges posed by climate change. Oxfam added that the New Zealand government should push for strong, binding universal emissions reduction targets in international negotiations; commit further funding, additional to the existing aid budget, and support to a far larger global adaptation fund; and mainstream climate change assessments into its development assistance programmes. 

The Pacific Institute of Resource Management (PIRM) stressed the need for an explicit target for emission reductions and a strategy to achieve this, adding that progress towards the target should be auditable and emissions reductions guaranteed. While expressing reservations around market mechanisms and carbon sinks, PIRM stressed the importance of early action to prevent emissions rising to dangerous levels and that it supports the establishment of multi-party agreements on climate change policy

WWF New Zealand also expressed disappointment with the lack of clear greenhouse gas emission targets and measurable timeframes to achieve these. WWF NZ will be pushing to ensure a mechanism to price greenhouse gas pollution is implemented immediately and not be delayed whilst discussions are held about developing an emissions trading scheme. There is a need to support the host of energy efficient and demand side technologies which could significantly help reduce greenhouse gas pollution from the electricity sector, whilst also providing health and well being benefits and saving money off our electricity bills.

The NZ Council of Trade Unions described how unions have a lot to contribute to the debate about climate change and that it is increasingly accepted that greenhouse gas emissions are having a damaging effect on the planet and are harmful to workers and their families.

Calling for more than government action, the Latin America Solidarity Committee described how water resources, climate change and peak oil impacts, can only be addressed by decreasing dramatically our demand for fossil fuels and lowering our ecological footprint.

For more information visit:

Climate Defence Network website: http://www.climatedefence.org.nz

New Zealand government climate change website: http://www.climatechange.govt.nz/

Contacts:

Oxfam New Zealand

Contact person: Mary Wareham

Phone: (04) 496 9628

Website: www.oxfam.org.nz

Pacific Institute of Resource Management (PIRM)

Contact: Kay Weir - pirmeditor@paradise.net.nz

Phone: (04) 939 4553

Website: www.pirm.org.nz - www.pacificecologist.org

WWF New Zealand

Contact: Melanie Hutton

Phone: (04) 499 2930

Website: www.wwf.org.nz/climatechange

NZ Council of Trade Unions

Contact person: Kay Jones

Phone: (04) 385 1334

Website: http://www.union.org.nz/taxonomy/term/112

Latin America Solidarity Committee

Contact: Paul Bruce paul.bruce@paradise.net.nz