New Zealand gov't sides with Big Polluters

New Zealand joins the polluting nations in opposing Kyoto. Not that it is going to make a difference either way – it's already too late to make a difference and the die is set – but this a strong indicator of this government's approach - “drill baby, drill!”

NZ won't be taken seriously at climate talks, says Opposition

Opposition parties say New Zealand will have little credibility at international climate change talks given the Government has chosen not to sign up to the next stage of the Kyoto Protocol.

Radio NZ,

26 November, 2012

The annual United Nations climate change conference begins on Monday in Doha, Qatar, where negotiators from nearly 200 countries will continue to try to strike a global deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The talks are aimed at securing a new treaty by 2015 that would cap emissions from all countries including developing nations and come into force by 2020.

Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser says it makes more sense to work towards a binding global agreement than to sign up in the interim to the second phase of Kyoto, which covers countries making up only some 15% of emissions.

Labour and the Greens say the decision not to stick with Kyoto and the weakening of the Emissions Trading Scheme will effect New Zealand's ability to be taken seriously in the international negotiations.