Fixing Emissions Trading
Climate change is one of the most serious threats of our age.
Today I am asking you for your help to make sure New Zealand does our bit to reduce the world's emissions of climate changing pollution.
And we're asking for your help to fix emissions trading so that polluters pay instead of hardworking kiwi families.
A good emissions trading scheme is fair, and best for our economy as well as our environment.
But National has announced an emissions trading scheme that means big polluters will get a big subsidy from the taxpayer.
They'll pollute more, and families pick up the bill. Whose interest is that in?
Labour tried hard to work out an agreement between the major parties on an emissions scheme.
New Zealand needs a scheme that will last, that provides certainty for businesses, and endures over time. Unfortunately the National government has walked away from talks with Labour on a revised Emissions Trading Scheme.
National put politics first, but that's not as important as the impact on the environment and on taxpayers who will now have to pay hundreds of dollars more every year in extra taxes to subsidise some very large companies that now have much more ability to pollute.
Under National's scheme, every Kiwi family will be worse off by hundreds of dollars each year in subsidies for polluters. This deal means New Zealand as a country will pay much more over the long run. I've blogged some details.
Labour has much higher priorities for the money.
You can help us work for a fair, bold and comprehensive response to climate change.
I am always keen to hear your views. Please get in touch with me.
But if you want to help, you can do much more. You can spread the word.
Please help to let people know how bad National's emissions trading scheme is and ask them to demand their MPs do more to reach a long term agreement that really makes a difference.
Charles Chauvel
Labour Spokesperson on Climate Change