Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Survey results suggest maintaining the competitiveness of New Zealand businesses is important
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16 September 2011

The ETS review recommendations on the reduced need to have measures to preserve the competitiveness of New Zealand businesses are heading in the wrong direction, according to the results of an annual survey of climate change opinion.

The panel released its 61 recommendations yesterday, suggesting the Government quickly phase out those features of the scheme that preserve the competitiveness of New Zealand businesses and protect consumers.

The survey, conducted by UMR Research for the Greenhouse Policy Coalition, shows around two-thirds of New Zealanders feel businesses should receive support through carbon credits under the ETS. About half support continuing help for businesses after the original cut-off date of December 2012, while just over a quarter oppose this.

“The latest results suggest people continue to support preserving the competitiveness of businesses under the ETS. In 2009, 51.8% of respondents opposed providing carbon credits to business; this opposition dropped to 38% last year and has now fallen further to 34.1%”, says the Coalition’s Executive-Director, David Venables.

Just one in five people agree we should cut emissions if it costs jobs and one in four agrees New Zealand should reduce emissions if it means reducing our standard of living.

“But worse still, the recommendations are also at odds with numerous Government comments that the lack of international action on climate change supports continued moderation of the scheme,” says David Venables.

“Those features currently in the scheme that preserve the competitiveness of New Zealand businesses should be continued at their current levels beyond 2012 and not phased out as recommended by the panel. The panel’s changes would increase the cost of the scheme to consumers and businesses after next year for little or no environmental benefit.”

The full survey results are available on the GPC website. The telephone poll of 500 New Zealanders aged 18 and over was conducted in late July and early August and has a margin of error of 4.4% at a 95% confidence level.

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