14th September 2005
Labour’s Energy Policy – A step forward
Wednesday 14th September: Greenpeace today welcomed the Labour Party’s energy policy as being a step forward in
addressing climate change and towards a sustainable energy future, though criticised it for failing in key areas such as
stopping coal-fired power stations.
“A commitment to increasing the proportion of electricity from clean renewable energy sources like wind and to develop a
National Energy Strategy, is great news for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling the biggest threat the planet
faces – climate change,” said Greenpeace climate campaigner, Vanessa Atkinson.
According to the Labour Party energy policy released yesterday, they have committed to /‘Develop a long-term road map
(National Energy Strategy), exploring a wide range of potential scenarios and creating plans for transition towards a
substantially renewable energy powered electricity system.’/
“For three years, Greenpeace has been calling for a long term sustainable energy strategy for New Zealand to help stop
dangerous climate change and it is encouraging that Labour has taken up the challenge, at least partially. However we
are disappointed that they have fallen short of the vital step to stop new fossil fuel developments like coal or gas and
to phase out existing plants.”
Unfortunately Labour has made no commitment to stop Mighty River Power’s Marsden B project, which would be the first
major coal-fired power station in New Zealand for over 25 years.
“It is also encouraging to see policies to improve energy efficiency and conservation – a key part of a sustainable
electricity system. New Zealand has one of the lowest energy efficiency levels of any country in the OECD so there are
enormous gains to be made which will have a dual climate change and money saving benefit.” concluded Atkinson.
ENDS