OnPoint by Keith Ng

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OnPoint: Nick Smith. Spanking. Now.

165 Responses

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  • Kumara Republic,

    We would gain incentive to demonstrably improve our carbon efficiency, because we will be losing market share based on how polluting our industries are. It is the sort of thing the world should be doing more of.

    Try telling that to Federated Farmers. If they felt the full force of Waxman-Markey, do you really think they'd get the impetus to go green? Or would they rather scorch-earth their fields and pump full of lead the first American/Eurolander they see on sight?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Outsourcing of industrial production from highcost to lowcost economies is an observable phenomenon, not a theory.

    And like most theories, it doesn't work 100% in the real world.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Hamish,

    Just logged in to say: bravo Keith.

    The A.K. • Since Nov 2006 • 155 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Young,

    Hi Keith, sorry but I agree with Matthew Smith in his post (p3) that this isn't quite right. I've spent quite a lot of time poring over all this stuff and there is plenty wrong about the way Nick Smith and the govt are representing this report though!

    I've written a rather lengthy piece on it at http://likeripplesonalake.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/3/ if anyone here is interested in reading more on it.

    Dunedin • Since Aug 2009 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    "10 to 20%"

    Is it just me, or if we're going to make our target conditional on international agreement on other targets, shouldn't our targets be of a level that might achieve their targets?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Not only are we lowballing it, we're lowballing it in a range. There's even a lack of commitment to set a target.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    If we come out of the Copenhagen negotiations at 20% then I think we're doing OK. If we come out at 10% then meh.

    I also find it odd Lyndon that we make one of our conditions a focus on limiting temp growth to 2degrees, but that requires 25-40% reductions by 2020. All emission targets except the upper limit of the EU range fall below that - so we've all given up on that it seems.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    d'y'think 2degrees will come to regret their brand name?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Predictably, the Government has based its case on this report - which simply didn't model what the Government claims it has.

    You also have to love this line:

    The target range of 10-20% reduction from 1990 levels is comparable to Australia’s taking into account conditionality, different base years, our lower GDP, and our higher costs of abatement

    There's some pretty specious reasoning in there.

    The Wellington Chamber of Commerce describes the Government as having "shown strong leadership and been bold". I take it that they're not too concerned about business in Rongotai and Petone.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    In what universe is shafting our children's children "bold"?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Cowardly boys wearing suits.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    The net vs gross comparisons are wilfully misleading are they not? Measuring net (as the target is) - we're about equal to 1990 levels right now. So it IS only a 10% drop, not the "more than a third" lies that have been spun and regurgitated.

    Yes, we have to get gross emissions down; Yes, relying on forest sinks won't be enough long term. But in terms of this target, it is only a 10% drop from where we are now. And even that can be handled by purchasing credits internationally.

    Note to the media - this is a massive issue. Clue yourself up on the basics please. I'd rather not have to wait for Rod Oram on Sunday to actually point it out.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    There's an iceberg in Oriental Bay today

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    I'm bumping this, because... this is just insane.

    If the rest of the world does 40%, we'll do 20%. And we won't actually do 20%, we'll just buy credits to pollute.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

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