NZ hypocrisy called out at climate conference

National's two Fossil of the Day awards for hypocrisy on climate change shows it’s not doing much better than climate denialists like Donald Trump, the Green Party said today.

At the international climate conference in Marrakech, New Zealand received two Fossil of the Day awards – presented by environmental NGOs to countries obstructing action on climate change.

New Zealand received one award for calling on other countries to end fossil fuel subsidies, despite continuing to subsidise oil and gas exploration in New Zealand, and another for using fraudulent carbon credits to avoid emission reductions.

“Donald Trump might pretend climate change doesn't exist, but John Key isn't doing much better by just pretending to take action," said Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

“National is telling other countries to cut subsidies for fossil fuel but is continuing to fund and incentivise oil exploration in New Zealand.

“National is also telling other countries to take climate change seriously, but they have traded in dubious carbon credits to avoid actually cutting emissions.

“Since National has been in power climate emissions in New Zealand have increased by almost 20 percent.

"New Zealand needs to be a leader now more than ever. If not, every other country can use the same excuse – that we won't stop polluting because other governments won't," said Mr Hughes.

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