Graham Kennedy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Graham Kennedy: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:653;Page:2364] 
6.  
Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green) 
 to the  
Associate 
Minister for Climate Change Issues (International Negotiations) 
: What percentage of emission cuts for 2020 will the New Zealand Government commit to at the Bonn conference in light of the EU commitment to cut emissions by at least 20 percent and broadly comparable statements of intent by Australia and the United States? 
Hon TIM GROSER (Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues (International Negotiations)) 
: 
 New Zealand does not propose to announce a domestic medium-term target at the current United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in Bonn. Cabinet has signed off on New Zealand’s climate change negotiating stance which includes a commitment to the global goal of 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent and it has also signed off on New Zealand’s goal of a 50 percent reduction in net emissions as at 1990 by 2050. There is considerable uncertainty over New Zealand’s net emissions figures which the Government is working hard to resolve right now. Until we get reliable figures on that we are not in a position to go further. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Can the Minister explain why this Government is unable to make a clear decision on emission cuts by 2020—not 2050—although the US chief climate change negotiator has recently forewarned that “those who hang back … will be economic losers in the end”? 
Hon TIM GROSER 
: As I stated in my answer to the primary question first of all we need to know exactly where we stand in terms of net emissions before taking a position for or against. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: In light of that comment when will the Minister admit that New Zealand is in fact not now a leader or a fast follower but a climate laggard and that we will be economic losers in the global green economy that is now coming? 
Hon TIM GROSER 
: What I can say is that this issue about fast following and where we are in the rank of nations responding to this great global challenge was debated extensively during the election. We were elected by New Zealand to govern on a matter of balance between our environmental and our economic objectives and that is what we are committed to. 
Nicky Wagner 
: Has the Minister received any updates from the negotiations in Bonn? 
Hon TIM GROSER 
: Yes I am receiving updates. The member will be aware that the meeting is still progressing of course. Last night New Zealand presented on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change stage. I believe we are making a contribution in Bonn to help shape international thinking on the objective and fair approach to sharing the effort on reducing emissions taking account of different counties’ national circumstances. Our presentation was well-received except of course by Greenpeace which managed to present us with the “Fossil of the Day” award but that is almost a badge of honour I think since it is unlikely that Greenpeace would ever seek to reconcile more than one objective. We will continue to work closely with countries to advance this thinking. To elaborate further to the member I say that this week we will be participating in a workshop on the challenges and opportunities for reducing emissions from agriculture which is an issue of great importance to the world particularly in the context of developing countries making a contribution during the second commitment period. People are aware that New Zealand is a leader in research on the reduction of agricultural emissions. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: Is the Minister in any way influenced by the Copenhagen scientific congress which stated in March that “Weaker targets for 2020 increase the risk” of passing the point of no return? 
Hon TIM GROSER 
: I am not familiar with that precise scientific finding but it is certainly consistent with a number of scientific findings that I have heard that indicated that even 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent for example may not be sufficient. There is a range of views out there; I am very much aware of that range of views. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: In light of the Minister’s response then and his response to the earlier question pertaining to atmospheric carbon concentration will the Minister and his Government now commit to the international goal of a 2 degree cap in global temperature increase—yes or no? 
Hon TIM GROSER 
: At this stage we are committing to the different objective of trying to achieve 450 parts per million which is equivalent on current estimates to reducing the increase in temperature to 2 degrees that would occur otherwise. The objectives are similar but we are choosing at this stage to focus on that as the measure. The indirect effect is indeed to reduce temperature increase globally on the basis of the current science to somewhat less than would otherwise be the case. 
Dr Kennedy Graham 
: I seek leave to table a document which is the summary report by the International Scientific Congress on Climate Change held in Copenhagen on 12 March. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is none. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.