The NZ government kindly gave me this QA about the ETS.

ETSQA.doc (42.5 KB)

Slightly depressing, especially this bit:

The overall cost to consumers and businesses of the emissions trading scheme in the first year will be $400 million. From 2008 – 2012 the government will allocate $1.775 billion in carbon credits to the forestry sector. By honouring commitments to give credits to the forestry sector, and by softening the costs to consumers and businesses, the Government will be making a significant loss on the emissions trading scheme.

The government is making a  loss on the ETS? Whose money is the government's, exactly?

I also received this letter from Nick Smith in reply to my concerns on the ETS. To give him credit, he did actually read my emails and respond to specific questions.

ETS-NickSmith.pdf (73.04 KB)

From the BBC:

Why NZ is a lifestyle superpower:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8683377.stm

It was the usual gushing stuff, until this bit:

"
It's just about to launch the world's most comprehensive emissions trading scheme to curb greenhouse gases, and some of its most senior civil servants are so with it, they look like they should be running organic supermarkets rather than the country
"

That's actually probably quite good advice.

Nick Smith, fancy a career as a greengrocer?

These videos have recently been posted concerning the NZ ETS due to start on July 1st

(1) Bryan Leyland on energy:

Barry Brill: ETS - history and downside

Jock Allison: ETS and Agriculture

Bob Carter (Part 1):

Bob Carter (Part 2):