11/10/2006
- Hon David Parker - Climate Change Minister David
Parker today welcomed 180 of the world's leading
climate change experts to Christchurch.
The experts are writing an assessment
report on climate change for the United Nation’s
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
and have travelled to New Zealand from around
the world to take part in a working meeting.
David Parker said it was an
honour to have such eminent experts in New Zealand
for this important meeting.
“It is both an honour and a
privilege to have the experts here. These are
people dedicated to making a positive contribution
to climate change,” he said.
“The IPCC’s role in the global
climate change challenge is fundamental to New
Zealand’s ability to plan for the likely impacts,
and avoid them getting even worse. The future
of New Zealand’s economy, environment and way
of life depends upon effective international action
being taken to cut emissions.”
From October 10-13, the experts
are working on the draft of the Fourth Assessment
Report on options for reducing global emissions
from energy production, transport, agriculture,
industry and other sources. They are considering
what can be achieved with existing technologies
as well as what might be possible in future.
The full report – scheduled
for release in 2007 – will provide comprehensive
and up-to-date information about climate change,
its causes, impacts and possible response measures
based on the latest scientific, technical and
socio-economic literature.
“New Zealand’s preparation and
management for the risks and opportunities associated
with climate change will be greatly enhanced by
the findings of this key report,” Mr Parker said.
David Parker will outline the
likely impacts of climate change on New Zealand
and the how the government is responding, at a
dinner for IPCC representatives tomorrow night
in Christchurch.
A feature article by David Parker
on government action to address climate change,
including numerous links and an index of related
media statements and speeches on the website is
here.
