New Zealand leads in rise of fossil-fuel emissions

New Zealand’s fossil-fuel emissions have soared by 72% since 1990, the biggest jump in the developed world. Figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA) show that global carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion grew 33% between 1990 and 2006. Over the same period, Australia’s emissions grew 52% and the United States’ rose 17%, while Britain’s dropped by 3%. However, the Ministry of Economic Development, which provided data to the IEA, said New Zealand’s figure was smaller. The official government figure is 43% which would rank New Zealand fifth-highest in the IEA report. IEA figures state New Zealand’s 37 tons of carbon-equivalent emissions in 2006, up from 21 tons in 1990, representing 0.17% of the world’s total. Environmentalists fear the massive rise will threaten the country’s “clean, green” image. (July 29, 2009)