Ministerial Foreword
Climate change is a serious global problem. As scientific understanding of climate change deepens, the trend is for expected impacts to be more serious, and to happen sooner.
Our biologically based economy is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The future of our economy, environment and way of life are threatened. It is in New Zealand's interest that there is a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Here at home, measures to reduce emissions are part of the Government's wider objectives to ensure our economy remains competitive and sustainable into the future.
No matter what happens with the Kyoto Protocol, New Zealand needs to prepare for a world in which a cost is attached to greenhouse gas emissions. This is not a New Zealand Government initiative; it is an international reality. The cost arises from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, whether this is achieved through regulation, legislation or price-based instruments. While action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will have a moderate cost, the predicted costs and risks of inaction are higher.
We have already announced a large number of practical, everyday measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and we are developing more. Many have other benefits, such as improved air and water quality, reduced erosion and flood risk, lower electricity and transport fuel costs, healthier homes and workplaces, improved energy security, and the protection of our native flora and fauna.
At the same time, we are taking action to prepare New Zealand for the effects of climate change such as rising temperatures and sea levels, and more frequent and severe weather including both floods and droughts.
In the short term, actions to reduce emissions will be specific to each sector and include a combination of voluntary, price-based and regulatory measures to encourage efficiency and low-emissions technology.
In the longer term, action is needed across the economy. Although it is true that some sectors can and should reduce their emissions more than others, we all can play our part in some way.
The Government wishes to build comprehensive and durable policies for the land management sectors, and this consultation is an important part of the process. We look forward to receiving your views on how we can work together, now and in the future, to respond to the challenges and opportunities of climate change.
Hon Jim Anderton
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
Hon David Parker
Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues
Contact for Enquiries
Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change
MAF
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 CLIMATE (254 628)
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