NZ leaves the Kyoto protocol

I'm not surprised that New Zealand's media should choose to suppress this bit of news.

(* Please note this was on after the 8 am news on Radio NZ, but was NOT included in the main news or (as of now), the RNZ website)

Tim Grosser, our climate change negotiator anounces with pride that no legally-binding agreement is “rock-solid” as they all “contain abrogation clauses” - besides which, we are just following the example of one of the world's greatest polluters, Canada.

On that basis why any government would want to enter an agreement with New Zealand eludes me.

This government cannot be trusted.

Whilst Kyoto was never going to do anything to reduce world's emissions this marks a point-of-departure for this government.

While finally Australia is moving to reduce emissions, NZ's greenhouse emissions have gone up hugely from 1990 levels, and this government has freed itself to further increase emissions.

One of the worst aspects of this is that previously New Zealand has relied on forestry to meet its targets – now foresters who have invested in forestry with the expectation of making money from carbon trading are being forced off the land

It is also a fine kick in the teeth to our Pacific neighbours, who will be some of the first victims of runaway climate change

'We've joined the wrong crowd" - Kennedy Graham, NZ Green Party

New Zealand's Day of Shame

Last day of New Zealand's legal commitment to Kyoto Protocol today

Today marks the last day that New Zealand is tied to any formal commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

If link doesn't work GO HERE


Other stories on this subject:

Government 'turns its back' on Kyoto commitment

Govt criticised for refusing second Kyoto stage

Carbon price fall could force some farmers off land

John Key – more pledges, more broken promises?