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EDS welcomes appointment of Hon Dr Nick Smith
EDS welcomes appointment of Hon Dr Nick Smith to cabinet
The Environmental Defence Society has welcomed the appointment of Hon Dr Nick Smith to the new National Cabinet as Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.
"Dr Smith has a strong understanding of environmental policy issues and is personally supportive of an emissions trading scheme," said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.
"Whilst in opposition he was a regular speaker at EDS Conferences on key environmental policy issues and notably would stay for the whole event. He is remarkably well informed and is committed to improving environmental outcomes in New Zealand.
"Dr Smith can be expected to pursue climate change policies that work for New Zealand and I hope he can soon persuade ACT to move from their present position of denying the science to a more rational understanding of the need to address this most important of environmental concerns.
"He is also very interested in improving New Zealand's water quality and developing a more rational approach to water allocation. We expect he will put the National Policy Statement on Freshwater on hold whilst stakeholders seek a consensus way forward through EDS's Sustainable Land Use Forum.
"He has also advocated the establishment of an Environmental Protection Authority. We are currently working up a position paper on this proposal which we look forward to discussing with the new Minister.
"In dialogue prior to the election, Dr Smith also put clear limits around the changes to the Resource Management Act that he supports and we look forward to being consulted about those changes shortly.
"We look forward to a constructive and collaborative working relationship with the new Minister who is clearly the best person for the job," Mr Taylor concluded.
ENDS
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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