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The Government today released a discussion document proposing to exclude specific types of international Kyoto units generated from the destruction of industrial gases from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.

Growing partnerships between New Zealand and Chile on environmental issues will provide long-term benefits, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nick Smith says.

Dr Smith and Chilean Environment Minister, María Ignacia Benítez, met in Wellington yesterday to reaffirm a commitment of both countries to work cooperatively on environmental issues.

The Government today released the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Panel’s report – Doing New Zealand’s Fair Share – that recommends the implementation of the scheme be slowed down.

Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation are the lowest in a decade thanks to an increase in renewable energy and reduction in coal generation, the Minister for Climate Change Issues, Nick Smith, and the Acting Minister of Energy and Resources, Hekia Parata, announced today.

The Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions report, released by the Ministry of Economic Development, shows that renewable energy is not only providing New Zealand with a range of energy options but is also having a positive effect on the environment.

New Zealand Climate Change Ministers Nick Smith and Tim Groser and Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus today met in Wellington reaffirming the commitment of both countries to work closely together on climate change.

“Both our countries are determined to do their fair share on combating climate change and making progress on an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” the Ministers and Parliamentary Secretary said.

Kia ora hui hui tatou katoa.

Can I particularly acknowledge the Hon Mark Dreyfus, Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change & Energy Efficiency, and all our guests from Australia that we are honoured to host at this 7th Climate Change and Business Conference.

The first annual report of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme shows it is working well, emissions are being reduced and it is driving new investment in forestry and renewable electricity, Climate Change Minister Nick Smith says.

“This report shows the ETS is working as intended, that the implementation has gone smoothly, and that New Zealand is now on target to meet its Kyoto obligations,” Dr Smith said.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Nick Smith will visit Japan and China over the Easter recess to meet with his respective counterparts, Minister Rya Matsumoto and Minister Zhou Shengzien, to enhance environmental cooperation between New Zealand and our two major Asian trading partners.

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith today welcomed reports on New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2009 and the projected net position for 2008-2012 that show the Emissions Trading Scheme is working and that New Zealand is on track to meet its Kyot

Professor Manning, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, Sir Paul Reeves and other distinguished guests. 

It’s a pleasure to be here today to officially open the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute’s forum: Climate Futures – Pathways for Society.

 I’d like to start by acknowledging Professor Manning who is stepping down as the Director of the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute.

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith today announced the Government’s long-term target of a 50% reduction in New Zealand greenhouse gases emissions from 1990 levels by 2050.

Climate Change Issues Minister Nick Smith says Labour should be upfront with New Zealanders that its climate change policy would immediately put up the price of electricity and fuel.

“Labour is being quite hypocritical in protesting about power prices and the cost of living when its publicly stated policy would immediately put up the price of both fuel and electricity,” Dr Smith said.

Claims by Russell Norman in a media release today that the Government is not planning to reduce emissions with its proposed 2050 target are just plain wrong, Climate Change Minister Nick Smith says.

“Dr Norman says the 50% reduction by 2050 is meaningless and actually amounts to an increase because of the distinction in the detailed consultation paper of base line being a gross figure and the target in 2050 being a net figure,” Dr Smith said.

This 12th Bluegreens Forum in the beautiful coastal and heritage village of Akaroa is a landmark in our work to advance our ideals for a cleaner and more prosperous New Zealand. This morning I want to do some thank yous, I want to reinforce the values we have developed and advocated for a decade, and I want to make some important Government announcements on the environment.

The Government is proposing to gazette under the Climate Change Response Act 2002 a 50% reduction in New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“We acknowledge it is difficult to look 40 years forward but the nature of the climate change problem requires we think and plan for the long term,” Dr Smith said. “We believe a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050, or in short -50 by 50, is a realistic but credible target for New Zealand.

Climate Change Issues Minister Nick Smith today announced the panel and terms of reference for the review into the emissions trading scheme to ensure it is meeting its purpose of reducing emissions at least possible cost and that New Zealand is appropriately pacing itself on climate change relative to its key trading partners.

The Government today welcomed the election of New Zealander Adrian Macey as Chair of the Kyoto Protocol at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancún, Mexico.

"This appointment reaffirms the respect in which New Zealand is held in the international climate change negotiations as well as being a personal tribute to Adrian Macey and his work as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador between 2006 and 2010," Dr Smith said.

Ministers Tim Groser and Nick Smith today welcomed the substantial progress made at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Cancún, Mexico, saying it represented a significant step forward towards a global, legally binding and comprehensive agreement on climate change.

The Government today welcomed the election of New Zealander Adrian Macey as Chair of the Kyoto Protocol at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancún, Mexico.

"This appointment reaffirms the respect in which New Zealand is held in the international climate change negotiations as well as being a personal tribute to Adrian Macey and his work as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador between 2006 and 2010," Dr Smith said.

First let me acknowledge our generous hosts, the people of Mexico.

Madam President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

New Zealand is committed to playing a constructive role in these negotiations to help secure a global, legally-binding and comprehensive agreement on climate change.

We come to this conference committed to meeting our Kyoto commitments.

We are the first country outside of Europe to have successfully introduced an emissions trading scheme.

73% of our electricity comes from renewables and our policy is 90% by 2025.

Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith heads to Cancún, Mexico today for the high level ministerial section of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“New Zealand is determined to do its fair share on the global challenge of climate change and re-gather momentum from last year’s conference in Copenhagen,” Dr Smith said.

The Australian and New Zealand Governments have reaffirmed their commitment to working closely together on climate change.

Acknowledgements

The entry of transport fuels, electricity and industry into the emissions trading scheme tomorrow marks an important step in New Zealand doing its fair share on climate change, Climate Chang