INDEPENDENT NEWS

Greenhouse Gas Junkies Given Awards

Published: Wed 24 Apr 2002 11:03 AM
Wednesday 24 April 2002
Climate Action Targets Polluters Greenhouse Junkies Given Awards
Greenhouse Junkie awards are to be handed out today to the worst climate polluters who oppose the government taking effective action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. The awards will be bestowed by members of the Climate Defence Network in Wellington on Wednesday April 24*. The Cabinet Policy Committee is expected to consider the question of the Government's Climate Change Preferred Policy on Wednesday.
"The awards protest the polluters opposition to effective policy to deal with climate change, such as a carbon charge big enough to change behaviour," said Jane Dawson, spokesperson for the Climate Defence Network.
These companies and representative organisations are members of the polluters' lobbies, the Greenhouse Policy Coalition and of the Climate Change Pan Industry Group (CCPIG). They are pressuring the government to weaken the policies on climate change. The climate polluters include BP, Shell, Comalco, Fonterra, Federated Farmers and others.
"The Climate Defence Network is sending two messages here. One is to Shell Oil and its fellow polluters that their efforts to persuade the government to go soft on dealing with climate change are not appreciated. The second is to the Government that there is strong public support for effective policies to reduce greenhouse gases.
We want the government to act to reduce greenhouse gases consistent with the Kyoto Protocol," said Ms Dawson. A range of strong measures is needed including effective emissions charges, and policies to promote public transport, cycling and walking and renewable energy.
"We are saying to Helen Clark and the rest of the government: resist the polluters' pressure. Stand firm for the planet and for New Zealand's future."
The Climate Defence Network includes medical, engineering, environmental, social, recreational, resource management and transport organisations.
"The Climate Defence Network (CDN) urges the Labour-Alliance Government not to go weak at the knees as a result of lobbying from short-sighted business groups."
"Ratifying the Kyoto Protocol is in New Zealand's interests," said Jane Dawson. "We are every bit as vulnerable to the effects of climate change as anyone - more so, because our economy is so reliant on agriculture. The opportunity to implement energy efficiency measures offers both businesses and individuals the chance to save both money and the climate."
"We believe it is New Zealand's responsibility to act now, with other developed countries, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The government must resist the pressure from the polluters' groups."
ENDS

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