New Zealand's climate change challenge increases

The latest forecast of net greenhouse gas emissions for 2008-12 shows New Zealand will miss its Kyoto target unless further action is taken, according to a government minister.

"Climate change poses a direct threat to New Zealand's environment, way of life and economy", said the convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change Pete Hodgson.

"Unless there is a concerted global effort to limit emissions and the extent of climate change, New Zealand, and its agricultural base, will be hit hard", added Mr Hodgson.

"No responsible government can afford to ignore this threat. The results released today demonstrate that much more needs to be done to combat climate change."

Two factors account for the majority of the change from last year's forecast, which predicted New Zealand would meet its target with 32.6 Mt CO2e units to spare.

The first is the way in which emissions, particularly from transport, have grown as a result of New Zealand having one of the highest performing economies in the world.

The second is due to the way forest sinks are assessed. Changes to the way scrub is accounted for and the qualification of forests planted on land that was scrub in 1990, have lead to a reduction of allowable sink offset.

"We know that we must do more to reduce emissions and to prepare our economy for a world which already puts a price on them", warned Mr Hodgson.

"The science debate is over, as reinforced last week by the release of a communiqué by the science academies of the G8 nations plus those of India, China and Brazil. Progress also continues to be made in increasing participation of countries in taking meaningful steps to tackle climate change."

Pete Hodgson said the good news for New Zealand is that significant savings are available from the adaptation of readily available emissions reductions technologies and practices.

"We know what we need to do to make our economy less emissions-intensive, more energy efficient and more competitive.

"Being one of 150 nations to have ratified Kyoto means we have many options to meet our targets at least cost."