Nick Smith tackles emissions at local conference | Oamaru News | Local News in Oamaru

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith boldly went where few politicians dare go, addressing the emissions trading scheme (ETS) at a conference in Oamaru at the weekend.

Speaking at the National Party Mainland Conference that took place at the Opera House, he was originally meant to discuss the country’s water resources.

However, many National Party delegates who attended the conference asked him to address the ETS.

He said he was involved with 20 portfolios but none came close to the "complexity and difficulty" posed by climate change and the ETS.

"I would have been a little safer (speaking about water), but politics is about showing leadership, also on the difficult issues.

"We don’t claim (to have) understanding of the climate system (but) science tells us it’s a problem."

He said it was "inevitable" climate change would occur.

Dr Smith said 80 percent of the increase in CO2 emissions had been caused by developing countries that make up 20 percent of the world’s population.

CO2 levels were up 35 percent since pre-industrial times, he said.

"As developing countries industrialise that is set to double (this century)."

Every New Zealander emits nine tonnes of CO2 per year – three times the volume of the Oamaru Opera House auditorium, he said.

A "massive" problem now facing the world would be how it would feed the additional three million people expected by 2050 without further increasing greenhouse emissions.

He said the "most efficient" option for New Zealand was the ETS.

It was important New Zealand honoured its word to voters, investors and international communities, Dr Smith said.

"ETS will be crucial to New Zealand meeting its Kyoto protocol (commitments)."

New Zealand valued its clean green brand and should be a part of the solution, not the problem.

"We know we need to plant more trees. We know we need to be (developing) more renewable power stations.

"Doing nothing is simply not an option.

"A moderate ETS is the sensible way for your National Government to make progress."

He acknowledged an ETS was not the only initiative the Government could introduce to meet the commitment, but other options risked New Zealand reverting to a "nanny state".

Prime Minister John Key later told the conference Dr Smith had "a brain the size of the South Island" and was "the only New Zealander who understands all the intricacies" of the situation.

"The way we’re handling this is exactly right," Mr Key said.