Key two-faced about climate change

It is not good enough for John Key to cry crocodile tears about the impact of climate change on our low-lying Pacific neighbours, while at the same time refusing to sign up to the Kyoto 2 protocol, aimed at reducing international greenhouse gas emissions, says Maryan Street, Labour’s Environment spokesperson.

“Mr Key can sit in the Marshall Islands wringing his hands over how serious increased sea levels are for their atolls and similar micro-states such as Kiribati, and can even concede the issue is a major priority in the Pacific, yet his own policy positions are the direct opposite of those intentions.

“Serious situations, such as the effect of rising sea levels on our Pacific neighbours, require serious policy and serious planned action.

“John Key has hollowed out New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme, refused to sign up to international efforts to move on from the first Kyoto protocol and set frankly pathetic targets for New Zealand’s emissions reductions, something that has attracted the scorn of international players.

“Polluting actions are not going to be prevented by buying worthless carbon credits as some form of offsetting.

“Proper investment in replanting of forests, clean technologies which will dramatically reduce emissions and a reduction in dependence on fossil fuels are all required if we are to make any substantial progress in turning climate change around.

“Mr Key might have had a nice time in the Marshall Islands, telling Pacific leaders what they wanted to hear, but action on climate change requires more than just sympathy and a smile,” Maryan Street said.