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WHAT NEW ZEALANDERS THINK ON CLIMATE CHANGE: IT’S HAPPENING GET ON WITH FIXING IT
12 Apr 2007
Seventy seven per cent of New Zealanders think climate change is a problem to be dealt with now or urgently.
A nationwide poll conducted between April 4-7, and being published in The National Business Review today, shows New Zealanders strongly support making emitters buy carbon credits, and rewarding those who cut their emissions with carbon credits.
They overwhelmingly back managing climate change with policies to insulate homes, fund research into alternative energy sources and cutting animal emissions. However, support starts to weaken for policies to impose new taxes, like putting up registration fees for cars with the largest engines.
New Zealanders would rather back emission-cutting policies like paying cash grants to buyers of fuel efficient, low emission vehicles, stepping up subsidies to encourage production of bio fuel from forestry waste, and encouraging forestry planting.
The Government’s management of climate change has the country equally split – 46% approve, 46% disapprove and 7% don’t know.
They also cite television as their most trusted source of information on climate change, though only 16% feel well informed on the issue, and 36% feel informed but would like to know more.
The poll was conducted using the nationwide online public polling panel, ShapeNZ, run by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.
The weighted results are accurate to within plus or minus 2%. There were 960 respondents. The poll is still open to the public at www.shapenz.org.nz and will run until May 31.
While the Government is now considering submissions made on its climate change policy options, the poll gives it a strong message about the direction New Zealanders want it to take.
Headline poll results include:
77% think climate change or global warming due to the greenhouse effect is a problem for now (42%) or an urgent and immediate problem (35%). 13% think it is a problem for the future and 8% only think it is not really a problem at all
89% see managing the waste going to landfills as a problem for now or urgent and immediate
86% see managing New Zealand’s energy needs and where we get our energy from as a problem for now or urgent and immediate
63% say ‘no’ when asked if New Zealand has a secure long term supply of energy (23% yes, 14% don’t know)
83% support more investment in alternative fuel technologies, like those to capture and store emissions from coal fired power plants
56% say those making emissions should be required to pay for those by purchasing carbon credits
68% think those reducing emissions should be rewarded with tradable carbon credits
66% believe all sectors should be required over time to become part of a system to limit and trade emissions
12% think agriculture should be exempt from an emissions trading system
63% agree the country should continue the use of a mix of both fossil fuel and renewable energy, though
More agree (41%) than disagree (39%) when asked if only renewable energy developments should be permitted in future, even if that results in lower growth and national income
56% support increasing registration fees for vehicles with the largest engines, ( 38% oppose, 7% don’t know), and
86% support cutting registration fees for cars with smaller engines, 11% oppose.
New Zealanders want more information on climate change.
Only 16% say they are well informed, 22% informed. 36% say they feel informed but would like to know more and 23% say they are not well informed. 2% don’t know.
When asked where they get their information from on climate change and similar topics, television is the main source (77%), followed by daily newspapers (74%), the internet (63%) and radio (47%). Only 2% get information from their chief executive officer.
However, when it comes to sources they trust to provide accurate and balanced information on climate change, media credibility takes a tumble, and the internet rises to second most preferred source.
The most trusted sources are television (40%), internet (38%), daily newspapers (37%) and radio (24%). Members of Parliament are trusted by 7%, CEOs 2%.
Business Council Chief Executive Peter Neilson says the survey shows Kiwis are well beyond wondering whether or not climate change is happening. They will support practicable measures like cash incentives for low emission, fuel efficient vehicles (85% for) and incentives to develop wave and tidal power (82%).
“While New Zealanders know we need to respond to climate change, they’re also prepared to exercise a balanced approach. This survey shows they understand all sectors should be made responsible for their emissions over time, but some need time to adjust. They know that providing renewable sources of energy in the future is preferred, but understand the country relies on a mix of both fossil fuel and renewable energy and that mix should be allowed to continue.
“The Government gets a clear signal from this to get on with managing climate change in a balanced way, but make emitters pay and to also start supporting research and innovation and down home measures which not only improve health but also cut emissions,” Mr Neilson says.
The survey result is available at www.nzbcsd.org.nz/_attachments/ShapeNZ_Climate_Change_survey_interim_result_April_4-7_2007.pdf
Ends
For media assistance, please contact:
Peter Neilson: 021 395 891, Email: peter.neilson@nzbcsd.org.nz
Graeme Colman: 021 325 377, 09 629 2914 (home), Email: graeme.colman@nzbcsd.org.nz
The Business Council believes sustainable businesses are profitable, contribute to social progress and ecological balance – and protect New Zealand’s quality of life. The Business Council’s 56 members jointly employ more than 50,000 people in managing resources, manufacturing, retailing and the service sector. Members contribute annual sales of $40 billion to the economy, equivalent to about 40% of GDP. The Business Council runs a national online survey panel, ShapeNZ, to allow public input on major issues. Registration is available at www.shapenz.org.nz
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