Is this another of Chris’s “big time outbursts” that just might end up inflicting pain on his posterior like the July decree might when he stated during a post-Cabinet press conference that National “ain’t doing business” with parties that want to spend, borrow, and increase taxes, pointing to TOP’s proposed land value tax.
The RNZ report highlights the contradiction between Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s insistence on remaining in the Paris Agreement and Chris’s claim the government “will not send billions of dollars offshore to meet the target.”
The government’s refusal to fund the necessary overseas carbon credits estimated to be up to $5 billion necessary for its 2030 emissions targets looks to me like it will not be long before we are between a rock and a hard place!
Is Mr Luxon’s stance reducing international climate diplomacy to mere branding, seeking the reputational advantages of compliance without absorbing the mandatory financial costs???
While our Prime Minister engages in dangerous domestic political posturing over its climate commitments, global heavyweights like China continue expanding coal-fired infrastructure on an industrial scale.
Have a read of Joanne Nova’s article to see the amazing pace at which China is able to, and is, constructing coal fire power plants!
RNZ excerpts:
The government’s refusal to fund the necessary overseas carbon credits estimated to be up to $5 billion necessary for its 2030 emissions targets looks to me like it will not be long before we are between a rock and a hard place!
Is Mr Luxon’s stance reducing international climate diplomacy to mere branding, seeking the reputational advantages of compliance without absorbing the mandatory financial costs???
While our Prime Minister engages in dangerous domestic political posturing over its climate commitments, global heavyweights like China continue expanding coal-fired infrastructure on an industrial scale.
Have a read of Joanne Nova’s article to see the amazing pace at which China is able to, and is, constructing coal fire power plants!
RNZ excerpts:
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says remaining in the Paris climate agreement is a bottom line in any coalition negotiations after the election.
New Zealand has pledged to halve its emissions by 2030.
Treasury estimates that could cost the country up to $5 billion in overseas carbon credits but the government insists it will not send billions of dollars offshore to meet the target.
National’s current coalition partners have indicated they do not support the commitment as it stands.
ACT says New Zealand should leave the Paris Agreement unless it set new “realistic” targets, and New Zealand First has also raised doubts about it.
Luxon told Morning Report he did not support their attitudes, and remaining in it would be a non-negotiable in coalition negotiations.
“It’s in New Zealand’s interest to be in the Paris Agreement, because as soon as we would come out, we’re in bad company, there’s only four countries that have pulled out,” he said.
Doing so would make the country poorer, because New Zealand products would be “kicked off the shelves” overseas, Luxon said.
“Are there problems with Paris? Absolutely … we’ve got a big target to try and hit by 2030, we’ll do everything we can.”
New Zealand has pledged to halve its emissions by 2030.
Treasury estimates that could cost the country up to $5 billion in overseas carbon credits but the government insists it will not send billions of dollars offshore to meet the target.
National’s current coalition partners have indicated they do not support the commitment as it stands.
ACT says New Zealand should leave the Paris Agreement unless it set new “realistic” targets, and New Zealand First has also raised doubts about it.
Luxon told Morning Report he did not support their attitudes, and remaining in it would be a non-negotiable in coalition negotiations.
“It’s in New Zealand’s interest to be in the Paris Agreement, because as soon as we would come out, we’re in bad company, there’s only four countries that have pulled out,” he said.
Doing so would make the country poorer, because New Zealand products would be “kicked off the shelves” overseas, Luxon said.
“Are there problems with Paris? Absolutely … we’ve got a big target to try and hit by 2030, we’ll do everything we can.”
Pee Kay writes he is from a generation where common sense, standards, integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes. This article was first published HERE
6 comments:
Voters have had more than enough of the PM. Seems to be "my way or the highway". Could be wrong. Look at the quality MP's who have been sent to the back of the class by the PM
Yet another reason not to vote for National. Luxon will single-handedly sink the coalition's chances of winning the next election.
I do hope that NZ follow the old adage "bite your tongue , close your eyes , swallow the blood, and do the right thing"
Split your votes to National for electorate where appropriate and PARTY VOTE either ACT or NZF.
The alternative is unimaginable for NZ.
His comments sound familiar. He promises to stay in the Paris accord. Then promises not to follow through on his promise.
Much like everything that comes out of his mouth. Untrustworthy and playing us for fools.
Luxon should have appointed Maureen Pugh as Minister of Climate Change and Minister of Energy instead of the hapless and inept yes-man Simon Watts.
To expand on what Kay said above:
In February 2023, National MP Maureen Pugh initially stated she was waiting for proof that human activity causes climate change before walking back her comments.
Her Initial Comments - In February 2023, after Cyclone Gabrielle, reporters asked Pugh if climate change made the storm worse.She stated that the earth has "cooled and warmed over millions of years". She said she was "waiting for evidence" that humans cause climate change.She also blamed some Auckland storm damage on rules that stopped people from pruning trees.
The Retraction - Party leaders spoke with her later that same day. Pugh released an apology statement to say her words were unclear. She stated she accepts the scientific consensus that human-induced climate change is real. Party leader Christopher Luxon gave her a reading list, including an IPCC report, to "help her understand the science".
Minister Watts is not the only one "hapless and inept" - IMHO of course.
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