Groser don’t go

Written By: - Date published: 3:22 pm, September 28th, 2015 - 5 comments
Categories: climate change, Environment, global warming, International, john key, Minister for International Embarrassment, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags:

Groser dont go

Greenpeace, 350 Aotearoa and the Coal Action Network have jointly urged John Key not to send Tim Groser to Paris for the climate change talks.  They have also started an online campaign using the hashtag #Groserdontgo.

Following is the text of their press release which was put out today:

A coalition of environmental organisations, is calling for John Key not to attend the upcoming Paris climate summit, and to pull Tim Groser and the entire New Zealand delegation from the two weeks of talks.

“New Zealand is proving one of the biggest blocks to a meaningful global deal in December. In the interests of a successful outcome and for the good of the climate, we’re asking that our delegation not go,” said Greenpeace climate campaigner Steve Abel.

As well as having one of the weakest climate action plans and one of the poorest emission reduction records of the developed nations who’ll be in Paris, the New Zealand delegation also wants countries’ emission targets to be non-binding under any agreement, meaning governments could walk away from their targets at any time.

“The world’s ability to manage climate change rests on these targets; they must legally oblige  governments to reduce emissions. To call for them to be non-binding is to admit defeat from the outset,” said Niamh O’Flynn from 350 Aotearoa.

“Tim Groser and our delegation’s remit will be to prevent a Paris agreement that commits New Zealand to more climate action,” said Cindy Baxter of Coal Action Network Aotearoa. “They’ll be doing everything they can to bring everyone down to New Zealand’s level, in which case the world will be heading for at least 3-4 degrees of warming.”

International analysis has found New Zealand’s pledge to reduce emissions by 11% by 2030 on 1990 levels to be “inadequate” and key elements of the policy little more than “creative accounting”.   The analysis says in reality, New Zealand’s emissions are set to be 11% above 1990 levels by 2030.

“Every head of state, delegate, civic leader, civil servant, NGO representative, man and woman at the December summit should have only one objective in mind – to reach a meaningful global deal that keeps our children and grandchildren safe,” said Steve Abel of Greenpeace.

“New Zealand’s position won’t get us where we need to go; in fact it will drag us in the wrong direction. Our Government has shown neither the courage or fortitude required in Paris. It is not up to the task.

“It would be better for humanity if John Key were to stay home, and instruct Minister Groser and the delegation to do likewise.”

The letter to Prime Minister Key can be downloaded here and was published in the Dominion Post today here.

Given the embarrassing stance this Government has on climate change and the miserable proposal it has for New Zealand’s response the advice is very sensible.

5 comments on “Groser don’t go ”

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  1. Sabine 1
    28 September 2015 at 3:37 pm

    I think that Tim Groser is doing precisely as he is told. And as such he is doing the business the government wants him to do, and clearly this National Government does not care about preserving the environment, in fact it can’t even see a business opportunity/case in preserving the environment, hence why it does not even try.

  2. Mike the Savage One 2
    28 September 2015 at 4:35 pm

    Leave the alcoholic minister alone, he is suffering, and needs his “fuel”, some red french wine may do, hence he may go to Paris after all.

  3. marty mars 3
    28 September 2015 at 5:54 pm

    groserDon’tGo – hell just make it AgroserDrongo

  4. savenz 4
    28 September 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Lets hope he drinks himself into a stupor and misses his flight to Paris and OD’s before he signs the TPP on John Keys behalf. I guess you need the alcohol to have those lackey jobs on your conscience. Then rewarded with an overseas job after betraying his country.

  5. les 5
    28 September 2015 at 9:14 pm

    why shouldn’t Groser go…his negotiation skills are absolutely unbeatable….just ask him?