12. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) Link to this
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Does the Government stand by the advice of Cabinet Paper POL (00)26 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade on climate change that “We also seek to maintain a high level of environmental discipline by allowing owners of sink credits to trade them freely on the international market.”, and that “New Zealand made it clear during the Kyoto negotiations that we do not intend to use sink credits to—in effect—cross-subsidise our emitting sectors, allowing them to avoid taking action.”?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs) Link to this
The advice referred to—by the Hon Phil Goff in 2000—needs to be seen in the context within which it was set. That was the international position for New Zealand in the negotiations that were taking place in 2000 on the rules of the Kyoto Protocol, and in particular on whether any limits should be placed around the use of forest sinks to meet emission reduction targets. New Zealand’s position was that there should not be limits on the international trading of sink credits and that emitting sectors also had responsibility for taking action to reduce emissions. The outcome of the international negotiations was that the sink credits were able to be traded internationally.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
What explanation is he giving, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, on why the Government reversed its policy of allocating Kyoto forest owners carbon credits; and does he support the Government’s decision to nationalise those credits?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS Link to this
The member should really direct his question to the Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues. Let me tell the member, for his edification, that the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative constitutes a sinks trading mechanism. It allows landowners to receive sink credits. Each credit is expected to be tradable on the international market. The Government’s recent discussion paper on sustainable land management and climate change included options to encourage afforestation. The Government is considering public submissions on this issue. No policy decisions have been made. The Government has announced its intention to investigate options for a broad-based emissions trading scheme for New Zealand. New Zealand expects all sectors of its economy to contribute to climate change mitigation in the long term. The question of the international linkages of such a scheme is under consideration.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Has he had any difficulties in explaining the policy on nationalising Kyoto forest owners’ credits, noting that in the last Parliament his spokesperson Jim Peters said of that Government decision: “New Zealand First is flabbergasted at this back-door socialism.” or is he now an apologist internationally for that back-door socialism?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS Link to this
As per usual, if the member is given two questions he gets his facts wrong again. What we said back then was in respect of the policy back then, and there have been some changes. There are future decisions to be made, as I said in my last answer. If Dr Smith wishes to make this an issue on the question of climate change, I ask him to refer his questions to the Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues. If he wants advice on foreign policy, he has come to the right man.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Has he had any difficulty, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, in explaining that in the 18 months since New Zealand First formed a confidence and supply agreement with the Government, 8 million trees have been felled and not replanted, given that with much fanfare he announced on 24 July “New Zealand First proposes an extra 10 million trees a year be planted over the next 10 years—as a minimum.”—or was that a typo and “planted” should have been “cut”?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS Link to this
There are two parts to that question. First of all, I have had no difficulty whatsoever internationally on this issue—that is a fact. If members ask my officials, they will confirm that. But on the second part—the enlightened, visionary policy that I announced on 24 July up at Russell, one of our oldest settlements in this country—we still stand by the planting of 10 million - plus trees a year. That will change this country dramatically and better enable us, as a country, to meet some of our future obligations. It also gives us options. But when the Minister says it is not happening, that does not mean we have abandoned our desire to persuade the Government to one day bring it to reality. We will not give up, because getting the right policies implemented into Government programmes is what we are famous for. Some talk; some do.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I seek leave of the House to table the official Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reports that show that 8 million trees per year have been cut down since New Zealand First announced its policy on planting 10 million trees.
Madam SPEAKER