For immediate release – Monday June 11, 2012
Report reveals New Zealand would gain more from a Green Economy
The release of “New Zealand’s Position in the Green Race” by the business group Pure Advantage highlights the urgency
for New Zealand to recognise and adopt the opportunity of pursuing a green economy.
“This report conclusively shows that New Zealand’s people, land and biodiversity has a tremendous amount to gain from
investing in the drivers of a green economy; such as renewable energy, clean technology development, smarter public
transport, and better environmental monitoring and standards” says 350 Aotearoa spokesperson Aaron Packard.
The report highlights that while New Zealand’s international branding relies heavily on the 100% pure ethos, as a
country we continue to slide down the OECD economic performance tables and quality of life is diminishing, while carbon
emissions are increasing.
A third industrial revolution is underway based on a green economy and New Zealand is in need of a reality check if it
is to stand under global scrutiny. With the Rio+20 Earth Summit happening later this month in Brazil, the international
spotlight will be on how countries and world leaders can push toward a green economy.
“We have to make sure that the New Zealand Government pays attention to this report and follows through by engaging with
business, government, iwi and civil society to realise the potential of a green economy.“
“This is of course a huge challenge because this current government seems locked into the 20th century ideology of
growing the economy by promoting dirty development such as fossil fuel and resource extraction. They don’t seem
interested in the potential of a green economy.”
However, there is strong leadership being shown elsewhere, demonstrated in this report initiated by some of New
Zealand’s most prominent business people.
“As a grass-roots network of hundreds of people working to address climate change and reduce New Zealand’s carbon
emissions, 350 Aotearoa welcomes this report and the positive leadership it shows. There remains the difficult question
of how much growth - however green - the planet can sustain, and we look forward to working with Pure Advantage to move
this conversation forward” concluded Packard.
A copy of the report “New Zealand’s Position in the Green Race” can be downloaded from the Pure Advantage
website,www.pureadvantage.org.
ENDS