Wednesday 15 May 2002: BP’s statement attempting to distance themselves from the Climate Change Pan Industry Group
(CCPIG) is too little, too late. The company’s denial that they have been associated with anti-Kyoto statements in New
Zealand is incorrect, said Greenpeace today.
In February 2002 The Climate Change Pan Industry Group(CCPIG) contracted a report from the New Zealand Institute of
Economic Research (NZIER) citing as one of its members The Greenhouse Policy Coalition (GPC) – BP is a member of the
GPC.
On 22 March 2002 Chris Baker, cited as Chair of the GPC and spokesman of the CCPIG, wrote an article for the Otago Daily
Times, titled, “Nothing to gain from Kyoto Protocol” urging against ratification.
In January 2002 Chris Baker cited as Chairman of the GPC is quoted in the NZ Dairy Exporter saying, “How much are we
willing to sacrifice in terms of jobs, health care, education and so on, to be part of an imperfect and risky
international arrangement.”
“Anti-Kyoto forces such as the Climate Change Pan Industry Group have run riot in New Zealand and BP have allowed this
to happen. This has impacted government policy and risked New Zealand withdrawing from Kyoto,” said Robbie Kelman,
Greenpeace Climate Campaigner.
“BP cannot remain silent any longer. The company must make a clear public statement on its stance on climate change,
renounce the anti- Kyoto CCPIG and guarantee the Greenhouse Policy Coalition (GPC) is not associated with the CCPIG, or
it should remove itself from the GPC.
“The New Zealand public has been left with an impression that all sections of New Zealand industry are against Kyoto.
They have not been told about the economic benefits for companies of reducing their energy inputs or that many companies
support Kyoto ratification,” said Kelman.
“Progressive New Zealand businesses interested in sustainability have been largely silenced by the thundering of the old
school. BP setting the record straight will make it easier for those forces to be heard,” said Kelman.
Ends