UnitedFuture does not pretend to be able to predict precisely all the consequences or outcomes of climate change, but through the growing scientific and economic evidence we understand the risks and the need for a timely response.
Climate change is a global challenge that through international and domestic cooperation can be managed to mitigate the risks whilst, in a New Zealand context, presenting a range of opportunities for environmental sustainability and social and economic development.
It is UnitedFuture’s opinion that the benefits of responsible and practical action now will be realised in the long-term health and prosperity of New Zealand’s environment and its people.
The environment is our basic life support system and must remain in good health. If people want to use the environment for outdoor recreation, economic development, or to simply admire and appreciate it, then it must be used in ways that do not cause permanent widespread damage or compromise the needs of future generations to meet their own needs – i.e. in ways that are sustainable.
See also UnitedFuture Policy on Housing
Forestry and Agriculture
It is UnitedFuture policy to:
- Support the Permanent Forest Sinks Initiative. While creating an opportunity for further carbon sinks, the trees will also prevent soil erosion, the leaching of nitrates and the intrusion of stock into rural waterways;
- Continue to encourage more riparian planting, moving towards a requirement to have river and stream banks planted, in order to act as carbon sinks, limit soil erosion and reduce agricultural runoff;
- Encourage landowners to return non-viable farming land to native forest in order to create carbon sinks;
- Require the purchase of ETS credits when forested areas are converted to other use. For example, where forested land is converted to dairy farming the landowner would be required to buy ETS credits to account for the loss of the carbon sink, rather than leave those costs to the taxpayer;
- Ensure that New Zealand producers of sustainably-harvested timber products are not undercut via the “dumping” of imported timber and products that have been harvested without regard to sustainability criteria;
- Support the investment which is being made in scientific research by both the Government and the agricultural sector, in respect of methane emissions from ruminant animals;
- Ensure that farmers bear the cost of other (non-ruminant animal) greenhouse gas emissions arising from their activities, but allow these to be offset by planting trees, on their own property or elsewhere (thus gaining offsetting carbon credits).
Industry
It is UnitedFuture policy to:
- Remove regulatory barriers, including legislation, to encourage new sustainable electricity generation using hydro, geothermal, wind and tide, where it is also economically sustainable;
- Make EECA the central funding agency for contestable funding programmes aimed at reducing long term energy consumption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs);
- Boost research and development funding through GNS Science for carbon sequestration from thermal electricity generating plants.
International
It is UnitedFuture policy to:
- Consider joining other multilateral international efforts to reduce greenhouse gases;
- In addition to attempts to limit greenhouse gases, investigate a humanitarian resettlement plan for the thousands who will be physically displaced by rising sea levels in the Pacific region, such as the Tokelaus, Tuvalu and Kiribati.
Emissions Trading
It is UnitedFuture policy to:
- Support the current CO2 emissions trading mechanisms to provide economic incentives to reduce greenhouse gases and boost carbon capture;
- Oppose the introduction of a carbon tax;
- Ensure the pricing of carbon on the ETS remains at a level high enough to reduce emissions, and consider minimum pricing if necessary;
- Work to reduce particulates from car exhaust emissions.
see also UnitedFuture Transport Policy