Thursday 28 March 2002

The public’s response to questions concerning climate change issues and global warming has been summarised in a document released today by the NZ Climate Change Project.

‘Climate Change: a Consultation Snapshot’ provides an overview of opinions and submissions received following an intensive consultation programme of public meetings and forums held throughout the country from October to December 2001.

The document can be accessed electronically via the Climate Change Project website, www@climatechange.govt.nz . A hard copy can be requested by leaving a message on the Project 0800 number, 0800 WARMING (927 646), or by contacting Rachel Wilson at the Climate Change Office, 04 918 3129, email: rachel.wilson@parliament.govt.nz

Opinions expressed during last year’s consultation process were taken into account in the development of a National Interest Analysis (NIA), tabled in Parliament in February 2002 as part of the process for ratifying the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and in developing principles to guide the development of Government policy on climate change.

The Government’s preferred policy package for meeting Kyoto Protocol obligations and reducing greenhouse emissions is intended to be released in late April.

A second round of consultation on the preferred policy package will take place in May and June.

The Government has announced its intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol at the World Sustainable Development Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa in August 2002.

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