The National Government has reached an agreement with the Maori Party on an Emissions Trading Scheme for New Zealand.
The controversial new plan, announced yesterday, is significantly ‘softer’ than the plan originally put forward and has the transport, energy and industry sectors entering the ETS mid next year, but agriculture only entering early 2015.
Other components of the Scheme will include incentives for afforestation, and enhanced transitional support for the fishing industry. More details can be found here.
The agreement has provoked much discussion, particularly on the impact of the ETS not only on our emissions, but also on New Zealand households.
The SMC will also be providing expert scientific commentary on the revised ETS in the near future.
News coverage: (please note: this is not an exhaustive list of all coverage. Older articles listed first)
NZPA: National, Maori Party reach deal on emissions trading
Radio New Zealand: Agriculture’s entry into ETS put back two years
Scoop Audio: Nick Smith on The Govt ETS Waterdown
3 News: Emissions scheme announced with support of Maori Party
TVNZ/NZPA: Fed Farmers in the dumps on ETS proposal
TVNZ/NZPA: Labour cries foul, quits climate change talks
Radio New Zealand: Taxpayers foot pollution bill, say environmentalists
Newstalk ZB: No horse trading done over ETS says Key
TVNZ/NZPA: Forestry upbeat on ETS but presses for more
National Business Review/NZPA: Reworked ETS has backers and bashers
Radio New Zealand: Emissions scheme an improvement – Fed Farmers
Newstalk ZB: Agriculture gets support from business
Waikato Times/NZPA: Changes to ETS questioned
Waikato Times: Business ticks emissions backdown, Greens choke
National: Astute politics on emissions scheme
Press releases:
Business New Zealand: Revised ETS ‘more measured’
Greenpeace New Zealand: Revised ETS an insult to New Zealanders
Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce: Revised Emissions Trading Scheme is an Improvement
Federated Farmers: ETS announcement a mixed bag for agriculture
New Zealand Labour Party: Kiwi families will foot bill for Nat’s revised ETS
Business Council for Sustainable Development: Proposed ETS deal disappointing, costly, uncertain