A levy on hazardous substances in proportion to their toxicity and persistence would both encourage less toxic alternatives, and fund the clean up of contaminated sites. The huge flow of speculative capital around the world every hour destabilises many national economies and has contributed to the recent collapses in Asia. The Greens support international calls for a small levy on the movement of international capital to reduce low margin speculation and provide funds for international and social programmes. New public sector investment is needed urgently. Poor public transport services have led to high car use with congestion, air pollution and high emissions of climate-changing gases.
Sewage management is inadequate and water supplies polluted in many places.
Small communities cannot afford the high interest costs on top of the capital cost to put these right. The difficulties local authorities are having in finding this capital are being used to justify privatisation of local authority services such as water supply, which will in the end cost ratepayers much more, as well as removing any democratic control over essential services. The Greens will support adequate public funding of these essential services, rather than privatisation. There is also a need for financial help to businesses converting to sustainability. We will support businesses which take advantage of NZ skills to create new goods and services which add maximum value while conserving resources and reducing wastes.