I totally agree with you that at least the New Zealand government has shown an intent to do something about the rising carbon emissions and the changing climate. Hopefully this intent would transform into some real action which would inspire other countries to unveil similar programs.

In the real world they can’t actually do a great deal. At home it tends to be a contentious issue and the people with the loudest voices and most immediately compelling arguements are usually those who have a vested interest in keeping the status quo.

Personally I cannot see the current New Zealand Government actually having the political will to force through the changes in the face of fierce opposition from business and industry.

We are heading into an election shortly and it seems highly likely that we will be moving from a nominally liberal Government to a more right-wing Government. If this comes about I see our targets being either abandoned or at the very least the targets being pushed back considerably.