08 Apr 2010
Prime minister John Key says his government is unlikely to amend its emissions trading scheme (ETS) before it takes effect on the energy and transport sectors in July despite calls from business groups, farmers and Act.
According to a report in the NZ Herald, nine business groups, including Business NZ, the Road Transport Forum and the Major Electricity Users' Group, wrote to Mr Key and other ministers last month to express their concerns about what they saw as the "widening disconnect" between New Zealand's ETS and the policy responses to greenhouse gas emissions among our major trading partners.
Yesterday, Mr Key acknowledged the concerns raised in the letter, but said his Government intended implementing the ETS in its current form and on time.
However, he said the scheme was being phased in very slowly and export businesses would enjoy up to 95 per cent relief on their carbon costs under the ETS, "so the impact is very, very small on those export-facing businesses".
"It is true that they also are consumers of electricity and petrol and there will be some costs there but I do think it's important that New Zealand gets started in terms of dealing with climate change."