2 August 2011
Progress made on trans-Tasman carbon market
New Zealand Climate Change Ministers Nick Smith and Tim Groser and Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change
and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus today met in Wellington reaffirming the commitment of both countries to work closely
together on climate change.
“Both our countries are determined to do their fair share on combating climate change and making progress on an
international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” the Ministers and Parliamentary Secretary said.
“We recognise the long term importance of aligning our respective approaches to pricing carbon pollution and that’s why
our Prime Ministers in June announced the establishment of a joint officials working group.
“We see benefits for both countries on working towards a trans-Tasman carbon market from 2015. Expanding and linking
global markets provides the most cost effective approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Dr Smith said: “We shared with Mr Dreyfus New Zealand’s experiences of putting a price on carbon pollution through an
emissions trading scheme and I welcome that Australia is now moving down a similar path. The ETS annual report released
yesterday shows the scheme is working as intended, implementation has gone smoothly, and New Zealand is now on target to
meet its Kyoto obligations.”
Mr Groser said New Zealand and Australia had always worked closely together at international forums, including those on
climate change.
“New Zealand is also leading international research on agriculture through the Global Research Alliance and Australia is
doing the same in carbon capture and storage,” Mr Groser said.
Mr Dreyfus said: “Today I’ve heard firsthand how New Zealand’s carbon price is benefiting business and driving a new
wave of investment in renewables. The Gillard Government's Clean Energy Future package will ensure Australian businesses
are not left behind.”
ENDS