10. Climate Change Policy—Marrakech Conference and Fossil FuelsGARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister for Climate Change IssuesClimate Change Policy—Marrakech Conference and Fossil Fuels10. GARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Is she concerned that New Zealand received a Fossil of the Day" award at the climate change conference in Marrakech?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Acting Minister for Climate Change Issues): No.Gareth Hughes: Is it a good look to be singled out from 197 other nations by global climate experts for obstructing action on climate change?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I entirely disagree with that characterisation. My understanding is that we received it for fossil fuel subsidies. The fact of the matter in that area is that in terms of the best reviews in this area and indeed one by APEC in 2015 we were found to have—and they were comprehensive in their assessment—absolutely no inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. I would argue that we are a leader in this area and there are many other countries that these NGOs should direct their attention to before they do us including those that have many many many billions of dollars' worth of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.Gareth Hughes: So you do not accept it is a double standard to call on other Governments to end fossil fuel subsidies—Hon Gerry Brownlee: That's not a question; that's a statement.Gareth Hughes: —while offering tax breaks and subsidies estimated to be $46 million to incentivise the exploration of oil and gas activity?Mr SPEAKER: I will let the Minister address it.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: That is effectively a World Wildlife Fund piece of advocacy that the member refers to. If you actually go and look at the real evidence from APEC where it came in and comprehensively assessed all of our policies including the tax settings it found there were absolutely no inefficient fossil fuel subsidy reforms. I will make it clear in relation to this area of fossil fuel subsidies that we are a world leader that goes out consistently and advocates against them and we are having great success on the world stage in this area. Far from being a hypocrite as I say I think we show real leadership in this area and we should be proud as a country of what we do.Gareth Hughes: Given that 80 percent of known fossil fuels need to stay in the ground in order to stop climate change and to stick to our international obligations how can your Government justify exploring for more?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: We know that a diversity of energy is required. It is a transition and it is going to take time. Fossil fuels will I hate to tell the member have to be part of the mix for some time to come. I think we can be incredibly proud of what we do in relation to energy in renewables—where some 83 or 84 percent of our electricity at the moment comes from renewables—and we will be pushing that advantage into other areas as well.Gareth Hughes: Is the message to the Pacific Island parliamentarians here today that New Zealand does not have to reduce emissions can use creative accounting can use fraudulent carbon credits can give agriculture a taxpayer-funded free ride can give oil drillers tax breaks and free Government data can burn more coal and gas for power—Mr SPEAKER: Bring the question to a conclusion.Gareth Hughes: —just because we signed a piece of paper in Paris?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Every single thing that the member purported to allege as fact in that question is wrong. I reject it all. The truth of the matter when it comes to the Pacific Islands is that we stand with them. We are putting hundreds of millions of dollars into those countries—because they are our friends and because we believe in them—to turn their energy supply into renewables and I think New Zealanders should be incredibly proud of what we do in the Pacific in this area of energy and climate change."