Amy Adams21 June, 2012
- Environment Minister Amy Adams says the
key goals on oceans pushed by New Zealand
at the Rio+20 conference in Brazil have
been included for discussion in the summit’s
outcome document.
“This is a great step
and shows that the international community
recognises the need for urgent collective
action to address the state of our oceans,”
Ms Adams says.
“This is an area that
we believe can deliver real and substantial
economic, social and environmental global
benefits.
“The text in the outcome
document commits to further improvement
of regional fisheries management, and actions
to crack down on illegal, unregulated and
unreported fishing.
“The text clearly registers
the importance of small island developing
states and getting a greater share of the
return from their fisheries resources. This
has been a long-standing New Zealand and
Pacific goal.”
The outcome document
also endorses the United Nation’s process
to assess the health of the oceans, and
locks in the global goal of having 10 per
cent of the world’s oceans in marine-protected
areas.
New Zealand is particularly
concerned about harmful fisheries subsidies,
Ms Adams says.
“These only add to the
worsening state of global fish stocks, distort
trade and undermine sustainable development.
“Some governments subsidise
new fishing boats when the world already
has too many, some subsidise fishing industries
that are targeting already over-fished stocks,
and others even give subsidies to fishing
entities linked to illegal fishing.”
Tackling government
subsidies for fossil fuels is another area
of New Zealand’s focus that has seen some
progress at Rio.
Ms Adams says that while
New Zealand supported stronger commitments
in this area, the Rio+20 text nevertheless
represents further international recognition
of the importance of fossil fuel subsidy
reform by all UN members.
“Fossil fuel subsidy
reform is becoming an important internationally,
as we’ve seen from a number of civil society
campaigns in the lead up to the conference.
“Phasing out fossil
fuel subsidies over the medium term would
deliver significant benefits for a greener
economy and the climate.
“We are mindful that
reform will have consequences for poorer
populations, and needs to be done progressively,
but money spent on fossil fuels is huge.
“This is money that
could be spent on other sustainable development
priorities. Some countries spend more on
fossil fuel subsidies than they do on health
or education.”
+ More
NZ delegation leaves
for Rio+20
Amy Adams18 June, 2012
- Environment Minister Amy Adams leaves
for Brazil today to lead New Zealand’s delegation
at the Rio+20 conference on sustainable
development.
“At Rio de Janeiro,
New Zealand is focussing on areas that can
deliver real and substantial economic, social
and environmental benefits,” Ms Adams says.
“We won’t have the biggest
voice, but we will be able to contribute
practical and relevant ideas.
“New Zealand wants all
the countries at Rio+20 to commit to eliminating
harmful fisheries subsidies. These contribute
to overfishing and to illegal, unreported
and unregulated fishing. They also create
perverse economic incentives that affect
the long-term sustainability of the world’s
fisheries.
“We also want a commitment
to phase out the inefficient fossil fuel
subsidies that some countries have in place.
If we are successful, this could reduce
global carbon dioxide emissions by up to
10 per cent by 2050.”
New Zealand also has
a strong contingent of youth, business and
non-governmental organisations attending
Rio+20.
“New Zealand’s position
reflects the concerns of our Pacific neighbours.
Our focus is on achievable commitments that
advance sustainable development.
“I am acutely aware
that Rio+20 is taking place against a backdrop
of global recession and uncertainty. This
is inevitably creating challenges.
“Nearly 200 countries
will be at Rio+20, all with their own needs
and aspirations, but I am hopeful that we
can all work constructively together for
continued action on sustainable development.
“We think it is important
to be a part of the global conversation
on sustainable development. New Zealand
is a strong supporter of a multilateral
rules-based system, and we will play an
active part in Rio+20.”
While in Rio de Janeiro,
Ms Adams will also hold meetings with her
counterparts from Australia, China, Korea,
United Kingdom, Canada, Chile and Indonesia.
