"The Skilling Report (/We're Right Behind you: A proposed New Zealand approach 
to emissions reduction./) makes a useful contribution to a critically important 
debate" said Owen McShane, Director of the Centre for Resource Management 
Studies, and Chairman of the Policy Panel of the New Zealand Climate Science 
Coalition, today.

"The Skilling Report reinforces calls from several other important groups for 
the Government to proceed with caution" said Mr McShane, "and the Government 
would be wise to take heed. Rightly or wrongly the Government appears to be 
convinced that 'the science is settled' and that therefore the policy outcomes 
will simply fall into place. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whatever 
the uncertainties regarding the science of climate behaviour, the fact is that 
our ignorance of how to properly respond to the 'science' is truly profound. 
This is one area where it is truly unwise to rush to judgment."

"Events move quickly, and we all know a week is a long time in politics. The 
publication of the Skilling Report, and the fact that it has gained front page 
coverage in major dailies, suggests that there is growing unease about our early 
enthusiasm to take a world leadership position while the vast majority of our 
trading partners are taking a much more cautious approach."

"Hence it seems timely to redistribute the attached paper published just after 
David Parker was appointed Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues early 
in 2006. The warning bells sounded in this early paper ring just as loudly today."

"The track record of policy implementation in this area is not good – and the 
reasons are deeply embedded in our state of knowledge of the past, present, and 
future. We may like to be front runners and to set standards for other moral 
laggards to follow. But the world will take little notice of our policy 
initiatives if they are seen to have caused damage to our nation's economic, 
social and cultural wellbeing."

"Thousands of innovators and entrepreneurs around the world will testify to the 
benefits of being a second round survivor rather than a failed front runner. 
Hence, we should take notice of those who argue for caution. The 'precautionary 
principle' should work both ways," concluded Mr McShane.