Better management of New Zealand's environment is at the core of National's environment and conservation policies, says National Party Leader John Key.

Mr Key outlined forward-looking, practical policies in the areas of climate change, environmental governance, conservation, air, noise, and waste management in a speech to the Bluegreens Forum on Waiheke Island today.

"National seeks to balance environmental goals with our other goals of increasing economic prosperity and providing more opportunities for Kiwis from all walks of life," says Mr Key. "In seeking that balance, we will never forget that New Zealand's outstanding physical environment is a key part of what makes our country special.

"In climate change, we will set an achievable target of a 50% reduction in New Zealand's carbon-equivalent net emissions, as compared to 1990 levels, by 2050.   

"A well-designed, carefully balanced emissions trading scheme is the best tool to efficiently reduce emissions.  National will introduce and pass amending legislation to the Government's ETS within nine months of taking office, in line with our well-publicised series of six principles.

"The ETS will be accompanied by other emission-reduction moves to encourage sustainable biofuels, electric vehicles, and solar water systems.

"In environmental governance, National will work with stakeholders to agree up to 20 national environment goals to be achieved by specific dates, at the latest by 2030.

"To give those goals resonance, we will introduce legislation requiring the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment to conduct State of the Environment reports every five years.

"National will also expand the existing Environmental Risk Management Authority into an Environmental Protection Authority combining Erma's existing powers with new powers.  These changes will not mean any extra bureaucrats.

"In conservation, National will establish a new national park in Northland's Waipoua and surrounding Kauri forests, and investigate a new national park on the public lands of the Waitakere Ranges."

National has initiatives in a number of other environmental areas as well, and these can be found in our policy paper published on the National Party website at www.national.org.nz.

For policy document visit: http://national.org.nz/files/2008/environment%20policy.pdf