NZ government inaction on climate change

A recent United Nation's report has highlighted the lack of action and policy on climate change from the New Zealand government.

The report, handed down in early April, identifies catastrophic impacts for the climate over the next century.

"The government should be embarrassed at the lack of action and policy in wake of the UN report," Dr Nick Smith, spokesperson for the opposition party's climate change portfolio said.

New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 1.2 million tonnes per year between 1999 and 2006 compared to 0.8 million tonnes per year from 1990 to 1999.

"New Zealand's emissions and deforestation are growing at a record rate," Smith said.

"The government has talked carbon neutrality but overseen the building of new oil- and gas-fired power stations and a trebling in the amount of electricity produced from burning coal.

"Climate change policy has been one botch-up after another with the billion dollar bungle over New Zealand's Kyoto balance, the debacles over the animal emissions levy and carbon tax, and the abandonment of the projects to reduce emissions and negotiated greenhouse gas agreements with major industry," he said.