Norman Russel: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionNorman Russel: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 29 April 2015. Volume:704;Page:2977. Text is subject to correction.]1.Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader—Green)to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Does he care what New Zealanders think about climate change and does he take their calls for action on climate change seriously?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Acting Minister for Climate Change Issues):Yes.Dr Russel Norman: What is his response to Stephen Keach who asks: given that the majority of known fossil fuel reserves must remain unburnt if we are to keep below 2 degrees warming why is the Government continuing to pursue a programme of fossil fuel exploration?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Because I think the world needs to transition to a lower carbon economy. We cannot turn the tap off overnight—indeed not all fossil fuels are created equally. For example gas can play a significant role given its significantly lower emissions in displacing coal. As I say not all non-renewables are created equally.Dr Russel Norman: What is his response to Michelle Raill from Levin who asks: when will the Government start investing in the reforestation of New Zealand’s hills and wetlands in native trees and bush which will help to offset our emissions?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: We are supporting a number of reforestation projects of New Zealand’s hills and wetlands. Examples include over the next 5 years $20 million available for afforestation under the Erosion Control Funding Programme. Of course the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative supports those creating permanent forest sinks of either native or exotic species and the Government and Fonterra are sharing coordination of a $20 million community investment fund that will allocate funds to protect sensitive water catchments through projects such as plants pest control and the like. So I think there are a range of things we are doing in relation to reforestation of New Zealand’s hills and wetlands.Dr Russel Norman: What is his response to Dennis Tegg from Coromandel who asks: when will the Government comply with the terms of the international memorandum it recently signed and end all domestic fossil fuel subsidies including production subsidies?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I think it is important first to outline that the Government does not subsidise the consumption of fossil fuels and has called for other countries indeed to phase out their subsidies of fossil fuels in the lead-up to the Paris climate conference in December this year. We are also a leading member of the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform group and I will also note that the Minister of Energy and Resources has submitted New Zealand recently—in fact it is the second country to do so—to an APEC peer review of our fossil fuel subsidies.Dr Russel Norman: What is his response to Iain Palmer from Masterton who asks: if the Government is taking climate change seriously why then is it allowing KiwiRail—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! Allow the member to ask his question.Dr Russel Norman: If the Government is taking climate change seriously why is it allowing KiwiRail to withdraw the electric locomotives on the main trunk line and replace them with fossil fuel - powered locomotives?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: We do take climate change seriously and I hope my answers have indicated that to both this House and the public. I understand that KiwiRail is considering a number of options for locomotives used on the Auckland to Wellington line. At this stage no final decisions have been made.Dr Russel Norman: What is his response to Sam Gribben from Wellington who asks: the Government says we are playing our part with regard to ISIS—a small but symbolic role. Why doesn’t the same apply to climate change?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I think as the Government has repeatedly stated that we are committed to doing our fair share on climate change. We take responsibility for emissions in a way that does not impose unreasonable costs on households and businesses. We have got a climate change response that is comparable to the efforts of other countries and we play a leadership role globally where we can make the greatest contribution. One such example is the Global Research Alliance on which we have seen significant research developments over the last 24 to 48 hours that I think are actually very exciting for our emissions profile.Dr Russel Norman: What is his response to Jim Robinson from Ōpōtiki who asks—Hon Members: Ha ha!Dr Russel Norman: You may laugh—you may laugh.Mr SPEAKER: Order! Just finish the question.Dr Russel Norman: Has there been comprehensive forecasting on the total cost to the New Zealand economy resulting from a 1-metre rise in sea level; if not why not?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: No it is not clear that that would be relevant given the uncertainty around the time over which a 1-metre rise might occur. The correct approach to preparing for climate change we believe is to have robust planning that allows for this uncertainty. The Government provides guidance to local government and recommends a risk-based approach including all hazards not just the sea level rise.Dr Russel Norman: What is his response to Stefanie O’Brien from Auckland who asks: given the increasing number of climate change - related deaths would the Minister agree that it is completely immoral that the Government has issued 16 oil and gas exploration permits in 2014?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I simply do not accept the premise of the question.Dr Russel Norman: What is his response to Cindy Baxter from Pīhā who asks: what is the advice from Treasury on the cost to New Zealand of climate change impacts at 2 degrees Celsius warming or 4 degrees Celsius warming and does any such advice even exist?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Treasury has not provided such advice.Dr Russel Norman: In light of the huge increase in net greenhouse gas emissions under this Government is he prepared for this Government to be remembered as the one that failed today’s generation and future generations of New Zealanders by refusing to act on climate change?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I do not accept that at all. I think and I hope that I have demonstrated both to this House and to the public that we do take climate change seriously. We are committed to doing our fair share. We have a comprehensive emissions trading scheme. We show international leadership in areas of comparative advantage. Again I note the Global Research Alliance and the very significant research that it has been doing that I do not think is an exaggeration to say is world leading; as well as the significant work that we do at home in our own backyard with many millions of dollars going into Pacific renewables projects and the like. I think that New Zealanders can hold their heads up on this issue and see that we are as I say certainly doing our fair share.