Press Release

7 March 2007

Marsden B an inconvenient truth for Holcim to face

Today Rodney Jones, Spokesman for the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society commented:

Mighty River Power’s decision not to proceed with Marsden B is an inconvenient truth that Holcim (NZ) Ltd must face. With Mighty River Power scrapping their proposed coal-fired power station at Marsden Point, Holcim’s proposed one million tonne cement plant at Weston, just outside of Oamaru, is now the largest greenfield CO2 emitting plant on the agenda in New Zealand.

At the proposed capacity, Holcim’s Weston plant will be emitting over 800,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum. Even relative to Marsden B, this is a significant amount.

Mighty River Power’s decision is a recognition that New Zealand urgently has to restrain growth of CO2 emissions. As consumers in the UK and Europe become more aware of concepts such as food miles it is critical that New Zealand as a whole lifts it game with regard to carbon emissions. As a food exporter that sells food on the other side of the planet, New Zealand is uniquely vulnerable to a carbon driven consumer backlash in the Northern Hemisphere. As a nation we must do everything we can to manage that risk.

Against this backdrop, Holcim’s proposed cement plant at Weston makes no sense for New Zealand. New Zealand already has a surplus in cement, with the output from this plant meant for exports. As a 100% subsidiary of Holcim Ltd, even all the profits are destined for offshore.

Holcim’s proposed plant makes less sense for New Zealand than the Marsden B project, where at least the output and profits would have been retained within New Zealand. To cancel Marsden B, and allow Holcim’s Weston plant to go ahead, is to sell New Zealand short.

Today the Government congratulated Mighty River Power’s management for the decision they made. If we are to be consistent, the message should be sent clearly to Holcim’s management that it is not appropriate for Holcim to increase their CO2 emissions in New Zealand, when ultimately the output and profits are destined for offshore.

New Zealand should not be in the business of attracting of carbon refugees from Europe. The time has come for Holcim’s New Zealand management to follow the lead of Mighty River Power, and withdraw their application for the Weston cement plant.

ENDS

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