Hon Dr Nick Smith MP
National Party Climate Change Spokesman
4 September 2007

Trademe Carbon Initiative Embarrasses Government

Good on TradeMe and Meridian for taking the initiative in selling carbon credits on the internet, says National’s Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.

“I congratulate TradeMe and Meridian Energy in showing what can be done, in a low cost and user-friendly way, to help tackle the issue of climate change and offer a practical response to it.

“This carbon trading initiative shows just how far behind the pace the Government is in dealing with climate change. This is a major embarrassment for David Parker and the Prime Minister, who have talked a lot but done so little.

“This TradeMe initiative will help by putting a price on carbon and give a financial incentive for New Zealanders to reduce their emissions.

“For all the Government’s talk about carbon neutrality and leading the world in sustainability, New Zealand does not have a credible policy to reduce emissions.

“New Zealand’s emissions are growing at a record rate of nearly 1 million tonnes per year. The latest UN data shows that between 2000 and 2005 our emissions grew at double the rate of Australia and six times the rate of the United States.

“Helen Clark’s talk of carbon neutrality and a robust response to climate change lacks any credibility while emissions continue to grow at record rates”.

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