(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A third of adults in New Zealand welcome a government plan to introduce a national emissions trading scheme to curb climate change, according to a poll by DigiPoll. 34.2 per cent of respondents support the initiative, while 24.3 per cent oppose it. Two-in-five respondents have no strong feelings on the matter.

Labour leader Helen Clark has acted as New Zealand’s prime minister since December 1999. In November 2006, Don Brash—who had served as the opposition National party’s leader since October 2003—announced his resignation and was substituted by finance spokesman John Key.

In the September 2005 ballot, Labour elected 50 lawmakers to the 121-seat House of Representatives, and assembled a coalition government with the Progressives. United Future and New Zealand First agreed to support the administration in confidence and supply votes for three years. National finished second, with 48 legislators.

The government’s proposed climate change legislation—known as the Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference Bill—is currently under review by the legislature’s finance committee.

In late June, Business Council for Sustainable Development chief executive Peter Neilson urged for a quick implementation, saying, "Delay could postpone emission trading until 2011 or 2012—and make New Zealand slip further behind its major overseas trading partners."

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose the government’s proposed emissions trading scheme?

Source: DigiPoll
Methodology: Interviews with 514 New Zealand adults, conducted from Jun. 20 to Jun. 27, 2008. Margin of error is 4.2 per cent.

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