Notes from NZ 2020 Emission Target meeting in Auckland

Greetings All!

Follows are some quick notes we made of the meeting this evening. I hope they are of some assistance, and inspire others to get involved.  At least drop the Minister a note, or attend other meetings as the minister roves the country over the next few days. My biggest impression from the meeting was that the people of Auckland (at least) are willing to commit to making huge efforts to achieve the necessary change in emissions and all that entails, even if we don't fully understand the consequences of that commitment.  The view was that this has to be done, so lets get on with it.  We expect strong leadership, but we also recognise that it we as individuals who must actually act to make the change happen. Your next Key Date for the diary: 350.org.nz is having a meeting on this Thursday at 17:30 at GUIDO Office, Level 6, 45 Queen Street (see http://www.350.org.nz/ ) to coordinate climate actions for 24 October so that a comprehensive opinion of the people of New Zealand is given to our Government before Copenhagen. Meeting notes follow:

Kind regards Nigel Williams gmnigwil@gmail.com http://the100metreline.blogspot.com/ ---

New Zealand’s 2020 Emissions Target

Notes from Public Meeting

Hotel Hyatt Regency, Auckland Central

7 July 2009

Notes by N.W and H.D.

Attendance:  Hundreds, people standing at the back.

The meeting was chaired by Cr Michael Lee, Chairman of Auckland Regional Council

The keynote speaker was the Minister for Climate Change Issues the Hon Nick Smith

Supported by New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador, Dr Adrian Macey.

http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/nz-2020-emissions-target/nz-2020-emissions-target.pdf

Cr Lee opened the meeting and introduced the Minister and the Ambassador.

The Minister then reviewed the approach being taken by the Government – generally following the format of the nz-2020-emissions-target brochure.

The Ambassador then gave an outline of the processes entailed in reaching agreement among the many governments involved in the process of addressing climate change.

The meeting was then opened for people to make whatever statement they wished, or to ask any relevant questions. 

The following (imperfect) notes record some of the dialogue, in no particular order.  These include some responses from the panel.

• Places like Bangladesh and some islands are already experiencing the effect of climate change and we must be able to say to those places that we are doing our bit.
• It appears that the rate of climate change is now faster than many predictions have suggested, particularly compared with the rates in the IPCC Assessment Report 4 (AR4) that are the basis of the world’s governments current considerations leading up to Copenhagen in November 2009.
• New Zealand’s self-image of its Clean Green image is at odds with our actual emissions.  Per head of population New Zealand is the 11th worst emitter of greenhouse gasses in the world.
• The Government won’t achieve this goal, the People of New Zealand must.
• What is the cost to our country and the world if we fail to achieve real change in emissions and the rate of climate change?
• We must do this for our children.
• It is indeed a hugely difficult task, but the alternative is unthinkable.
• We need strong leadership from our Government.
• Forestry incentives need to be reviewed to ensure forestry continues to play a role in obtaining carbon credits.  The economics of forestry have changed to where it is a difficult business proposition in the current environment.
• There is a lack of public recognition of the facts about Climate Change, to the extent that many people do not see it as an issue.  The media presents conflicting faces about climate change, for example with newspapers presenting sections on climate change on one page, and the business pages carrying on as if climate change does not exist as an issue.
• There is certain to be criticism about how the Government goes about this – what ever it does.
• The soils of our land are a major repository of carbon, and efforts should be made to reduce soil loss and improve carbon retention in soils.
• Sad that there seems to still be a perception that there is a choice available between commercial interests and the environment.
• Incredible complexity.
• We need a vision and a story that supports our New Zealand ‘brand’.  What is New Zealand’s story that Minister Smith is taking to Copenhagen?
• It appears that a number of potential climate feedbacks are currently suppressed or not yet initiated, but these may be released if emissions and climate change progresses much further.  There are huge potential risks from the compounding effect of these feedbacks if or when they kick in.
• It is great to hear that the Minister is working on a cross-party consensus approach to addressing the way New Zealand is approaching climate change.  This will provide longer-term stability for policy and hence for business and citizens uptake of appropriate action.
• New Zealander’s are willing to do what needs to be done, even if from here we don’t necessarily understand the implications.  We must do it for future generations.
• There are huge potential benefits to be found in efforts to reduce emissions from agriculture; both as direct reductions and as marketable intellectual property.
• We must reduce our per-capita energy consumption and all that entails.
• Government must be honest with people about what is needed, and what the consequences are of inaction.
• We must say what target New Zealand will aim for and achieve regardless of what targets other countries are setting.
• We must not wait for Australia to set its targets because Australia has just said it will wait until USA has set its targets.
• The Sustainable Business Networks supports a target of 40% below 1990 levels, and understands that this will entail some sacrifice from present-day levels.
• I’m ready for a major change.  Kiwi’s are ready to do what it takes.
• We want to follow the examples of Scotland, Ireland and Denmark who have already declared a 40% reduction target.
• Most important thing is that this is bigger than any political party.
• The Earth is not willing to negotiate.
• Talk about jobs gained as a result of efforts.
• Both Obama and Clinton changed their stance on emission targets the day after about 120,000 individual but coordinated ‘climate actions’ were carried out in USA recently.
• 350.org.nz is having a meeting on this Thursday at 17:30 at GUIDO Office, Level 6, 45 Queen Street (see http://www.350.org.nz/ ) to coordinate climate actions for 24 October so that a comprehensive opinion of the people of New Zealand is given to our Government before Copenhagen. 
• We should aim for a much stronger reduction, as our per capita emissions are so high on the global scale.
• We must reduce coal exports as part of our commitment to reducing emissions.
• What is our fair share?  We must do at least our fair share.
• It is not a matter of considering the costs but we should consider the benefits of being in a good position at a later time.
• We need to get out of our mind-set of our actions being good for the economy or for business, they have to be good for the planet and for the people of New Zealand.
• The 350 movement supports the adoption of bold targets.
• (A stand-up head count of attendees saw a majority of those present prepared to support a target of 30% to 40% reduction in emissions by 2020.)
• Don’t want to hear excuses.
• Must do it soon.
• We must do what science tells us to do.  We accept what science tells us in lots of matters that are far less important than climate change.
• The Earth will not wait for us to get around to doing something.
• We must be wary of the potential lobbying against action by business interests that cannot see the potential benefits of action.
• The service industries can provide significant support for change and action.
• Opportunities for change include vastly improved energy management.
• Virtually everybody (in a sample) is already involved to a degree in some sort of climate action or environmental response.  25% are willing to make significant sacrifices to obtain a better outcome.
• We have to work out a better way to live without consuming as much.  The alternative is the disaster of climate change.
• If we are to match the USA’s target of 50% reduction by 2050, then we must (on the law of diminishing returns) aim for 40% reduction by 2020.
• Ministers should meet by global teleconference instead of travel and face to face.
• The present IPCC outputs are politicised science that does not reflect the true state of affairs.  It is sanitised and the truth about how bad it is has been dulled by the process of reaching a consensus.
• More recent science information suggests things are getting worse a lot faster than IPCC suggests, and the Government has to recognise this increased risk.
• The decision-making process is hindered by the way decisions are made in ‘boxes’ (for example climate change, economy employment), as the result of all the individual decisions is not necessarily the best overall decision.
• Shift all taxes onto the core matters that we are dealing with – onto pollution and emissions.
• We must recognise the benefits of the climate change efforts.
• Compulsory vehicle emission testing would reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
• China is implementing some good emission and energy efficiency requirements.
• Keep any emission trading scheme out of the hands of the futures traders. 
• The planet is finite, so it is unrealistic to continue planning for ongoing growth of economies based on the old way of doing things.

Many speakers thanked the Minister for providing us with the opportunity to speak and to question on this key matter. 

The meeting was cordial, and at times jovial as conflicting views were exchanged.  

Meeting closed at 21:50.

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