KEY POINTS:
No New Zealand political party has tough enough policy to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, Greenpeace said today as it released a survey.
The Politics of Climate Change survey asked 20 questions about issues including emission reduction targets, domestic emission reductions, agriculture, transport, energy, the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, international obligations and social equity.
However, the survey did not get responses from all parties - National gave documents rather than answers and New Zealand First, ACT and the Maori Party did not participate, Greenpeace political advisor Geoff Keey told NZPA.
The survey did not set out to rank parties but in rough terms the Greens did best followed by the Progressive Party. Next were Labour and United Future on a similar level followed by National.
While the Green Party was the clear winner it was criticised in the findings for having a 60-90 per cent by 2050 emission reduction target which was considered relatively weak. The party was also criticised for accepting some industry subsidy was necessary when Greenpeace said forcing polluters to pay would drive reductions.
The Progressive Party was praised for having a strong set of climate change policies but could do better on targets and getting the agricultural sector to reduce emissions.
Labour was criticised for failing to commit to significant policies but praised for committing to Kyoto obligations and developing an emissions trading scheme, as well as measures to limit fossil fuel electricity generation.
The findings called for Labour to set a tougher target on warming, a policy change against coal production in favour of renewables and requiring the agricultural sector to reduce emissions immediately.
"Although the Labour-led government is implementing a series of climate change policies, the party refuses to commit to the strong policies needed for leadership on climate change, particularly when it comes to land use decisions and agricultural emissions," Mr Keey said.
United Future had a comprehensive energy strategy but did not clearly commit to tough emission reductions targets.
Mr Keey said National's policies had gaps.
"National needs to match its rhetoric on tackling climate change with policies. There appears to be no plan from National to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is the only real solution to climate change."
Mr Keey said no party had developed strong enough climate policies to deliver the necessary emissions cuts needed to prevent the worst climate impacts.
"The most crucial thing for each party to do is set a domestic emissions reduction target of 30 per cent by 2020 and develop policies to tackle emissions from the agricultural sector, including as a first step bringing the sector into the emissions trading scheme within the next two years," he said.
A United Nations climate meeting is being held in Bangkok from today.
"The New Zealand delegation needs to show political leadership at this conference, but to have credibility in doing g so, we need to be showing leadership at home," Mr Keey said.
The survey preceded a debate on board the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior off Wellington this week.
- NZPA
