Global Challenges, the UN & NZ: A Green Perspective - Dr Kennedy Graham - NZIIA Major Economic & Foreign Policy Issues Seminar

Today's discussion is about the major economic and foreign policy issues facing New Zealand over the next five years, from 2012 to 2017. The theme throughout today has been mainly on the global dimension of that - the global commons and the global economy, with specific focus on trade and security. This final session is on the multilateral setting.

I mention this because clarity in recognizing the conceptual framework for any discussion is a precondition of any consensus in policy analysis and prescription. So let me offer some thought first on the relationship among these dimensions.

The idea of global unity is millennia old in a philosophical sense - from earliest days of human thought through to modern times. The ancient civilizations carried the innocent belief that their value system was divinely ordained, intrinsically valid and universally applicable.

Climate change and Tuvalu

Welfare, Climate Change, Food Prices

Series 2011, Episode 26

17 Aug 2011 | 0:44:06 |  Classification: PGR

Wallace Chapman, Damian Christie, the Back Benches Panel and special guests discuss the week's hottest topics!

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Dr Kennedy Graham to the Minister of Energy: Lignite, Solid Energy and Climate Change

Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Acting Minister of Energy and Resources: Does she agree with the Prime Minister, who said "companies like Solid Energy are growth companies and we want them to expand in areas like lignite conversion"?

Effect of Proposed Lignite Mining Projects on Green House Gas Emissions - Dr Kennedy Graham

Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Minister of Energy and Resources: By how many tonnes would Solid Energy's proposed lignite projects in Southland increase New Zealand's gross greenhouse gas emissions in 2020?

Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) : I understand that this morning Solid Energy informed the Commerce Committee that depending on the scale of technology used, gross emissions could be 10 million to 20 million tonnes per annum. I also understand that Solid Energy has said on many occasions that taking full responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions is a key consideration in its lignite developments and it expects its lignite-based plants to achieve full carbon compliance.

Climate change, lignite, and Solid Energy: Searching for truth and reason

Matters are coming to a head, on the lignite saga in Southland.

As climate change intensifies around the world and not least here in New Zealand, our national responsibility to respond proportionate to our size and liability increases commensurately.

The UN has prescribed a national emission reduction target of 25% to 40% off 1990 levels by 2020 for the rich (‘developed’) countries. Few have responded adequately. New Zealand, displaying the foresight of the Dodo, has committed to 10% to 20%, conditional. While that is shameful, let us explore the implications of how (not) to get there.

Climate Change, Lignite & 'Growth' - Debate on the PM's Statement - Dr Kennedy Graham

I acknowledge Mr Quinn's hardness of heart and meanness of spirit. I acknowledge Simon Bridges' comment that Metiria Turei's speech was a good speech. We know who has a political future. The Prime Minister's statement is simply a reiteration of Government policy enunciated first in the Speech from the Throne 2 years ago and recycled every February and May.

Signs of Change - Interview with MP Kennedy Graham

Dr Kennedy Graham to the Minister for Climate Change Issues

Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM: to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Will the Cancun agreements achieve the agreed goal of confining global warming to 2 degrees; if so, how?

Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Minister for Climate Change Issues: The Cancun agreements set a goal for long-term temperature stabilisation, confining global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. As a result of the Cancun agreements, for the first time we now have actions to reduce emissions by all major emitters brought under the UN system. Without that breakthrough any climate deal would be ineffective. So the Cancun agreements have the UN's climate negotiations back on track.

Questioning Nick Smith on climate change

Last week I attended a seminar on climate change and the prospects for the Cancun summit in December.  I know that in our post-Copenhagen catatonia we all prefer not to think of climate change, but that will not solve the problem.

The seminar was comprised mainly of government officials, academics and think tank experts.  There was a high-level of knowledge and acuity around the table on the subject.  The Minister (Groser) came and spoke, then left.  There was a general air of malaise in the air, a feeling of fin de siècle, of disempowerment. We were busy with the deck chairs – sorting where they should be arranged – maintaining the system since we only have the system.

UN Climate Change Negotiations, Cancun, and New Zealand, Dr Kennedy Graham

I rise to address the issue of climate change and this Government's failure to develop adequate national policy to combat it. Climate change has slipped below the threshold of daily media focus and that is the way that this Government seems to want it.

The failure at Copenhagen to tackle the global threat head on has sent the international community into a state of collective catatonia. We see this in the lack of leadership from the UN itself, in the actions of national Governments around the world, and in the attitude of much of the public around the world. The problem we have is that Nature is not disposed to wait for humanity to iron itself out morally and get its political act together.

Southland coal would be climate disaster

Digging up the reserves of lignite in Southland can only increase global greenhouse gas emissions, said the Green Party today.

Don Elder, CEO of state-owned Solid Energy, told their annual conference yesterday that mining the low grade coal lignite would reduce global emissions.

Green Party spokesperson on energy, Dr Kennedy Graham responded that the claim was simply illogical.

"Burning coal results in greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to dangerous climate change," said Dr Graham.

Kennedy Graham MP on Climate Change Negotiations March 12, 2009

Parliamentary Climate Change Speech