Both the New Zealand Institute and Business New Zealand have come out calling for New Zealand’s climate change policy to be slowed down.
What’s the feeling of the readers out there – is it merely another right wing, business focussed lobby group trying to maintain the status quo or is it organisations with New Zealand’s (and the world’s) best interests at heart?
I think they are right actually. Clearly they represent business interests who are not happy about the extra costs being imposed but their premise that NZ should be a fast follower is sound.
Why should a small country like NZ put itself under financial strain simply to be a leading light on an issue that is far from clear cut. The current taxes on petrol, for example, would probably more than cover any carbon tax on petrol.
The government should focus on developing the right framework for renewable projects to take place but realise that energy security is the first priority any government should focus on.
My personal view is that climate change/global warming is a global issue and needs to be dealt with at the global level preferably with the fossil fuel companies involved.
This issue is not clear cut and its good to have some reasoned debate on it. There is a Ministers forum on Friday in Christchurch which hopefully will be interesting but I;m not holding my breath.
I think that David Skilling is correct here that we should be a fast follower rather than trying to be first to lead.
Raf said…
Why should a small country like NZ put itself under financial strain simply to be a leading light on an issue that is far from clear cut.
Because the Labour government is trying to be a world darling.