Emissions strategy focus of meeting

Clive Geddes
Clive Geddes
Lakes District residents are being urged by Mayor Clive Geddes to attend tonight's public meeting, which will focus on New Zealand's 2020 emissions target.

The meeting, hosted by the Government and chaired by Mr Geddes, is one of nine nationwide meetings aimed at giving New Zealanders a chance to voice their feelings on the issue.

The meeting will be attended by Nick Smith, the Minister for Climate Change Issues.

"This is an issue for all New Zealanders," Mr Geddes said.

"Our gross emissions have increased significantly since 1990 and the implications of addressing that affect every single household and every single business."

The aim of the meetings is to inform and gather feedback from the public on the economic and environmental implications associated with the country's greenhouse gas emissions.

In Copenhagen this December, the Government aims to agree to a post-2012 international agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol.

"The issue of New Zealand's 2020 target is a single decision with major implications for the environment and the economy," Dr Smith said.

"It is the Government's intention to table at the Bonn climate change negotiations in August our country's policy on a 2020 target to help achieve global agreement at the Copenhagen conference in December."

Dr Smith said New Zealand had committed to a global goal of stabilising emissions at not more than 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent.

New Zealand's long-term goal was to reduce the country's net emissions to 50% of its 1990 levels by 2050.

"Setting an interim target for 2020 requires careful consideration, especially in the face of global recession," Dr Smith said.

"It needs to be realistic, so we don't inadvertently put our economy at risk. It needs to be achievable or we risk our good international reputation by failing to deliver. It must also be sufficient to protect the environment for future generations."

Tonight's meeting is not the only way residents can have a say.

A live panel discussion will be held online from 7.30pm on July 20 at www.r2.co.nz/20090720.

Views can also be written or emailed directly to the minister.

Tonight's meeting will be held at the Heritage Hotel's Icon Room from 7.30pm.

 

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