29 July 2005
Changes To Climate Change Act Not Enough
EMA Central says planned changes to the Climate Change Amendment Act, reported back today by the Commerce Committee,
don't address the real issue.
The decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in the first place was a mistake, according to Paul Winter, Chief Executive of
EMA Central.
"Pete Hodgson, who got us into Kyoto, has been forced to admit the decision was based on wrong information," Paul Winter
said. "The government thought we'd have carbon credits to sell and in fact we'll be in deficit. They didn't think it
through properly, and they didn't properly assess the risks for New Zealand.
"Whatever the government does now to fine tune the process isn't going to change that initial error," he said.
Paul Winter said New Zealand businesses don't need more costs or more regulation when they're out there trying to be
competitive in a global marketplace.
"It just doesn't make sense for us to leap into Kyoto ahead of our major trading partners," he said. "Australia has been
much smarter. They didn't sign up to Kyoto, and now they're working with the United States and developing countries on a
much more constructive strategy."
ENDS