Su’a William
SIO

Pacific Climate Change Issues Spokesperson
9 December 2015 MEDIA STATEMENT

Countdown on to support Pacific Nations in Paris

As the Paris Climate Talks enter their final days, New Zealand must step up and support its neighbours, say Labour’s Pacific Climate Change Issues Spokesperson, Su’a William Sio.

“The clock is ticking for Pacific nations. We don’t have time to sit around and wait for bureaucratic delays. We need real action now on limiting temperature increases.

“Pacific Leaders at the Paris talks are delivering powerful messages about the life and death situation the region faces, but New Zealand has not so far stood with its neighbours.

“New Zealand pitched its case for entry to the United Nation’s Security Council on the basis of Pacific leadership. We are not seeing this leadership in Paris.

“New Zealand has also had the embarrassment of falling in the world climate rankings from 35th to 42nd. We were ranked in the bottom 5 for climate change policy.

“While some countries, such as Canada, are showing real leadership calling for a 1.5 degree limit on temperature increase, New Zealand seems content to sit on the fence waiting to see which way the wind blows. Weasel words about not blocking an agreement on a 1.5 degree deal is not real leadership.

“As we enter the final days there is still time for the Minister to step up and do the right thing,” says Su’a William Sio.

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