Changes the Government has made to the emissions trading scheme (ETS) show it has lost its commitment to curbing greenhouse gas emissions, Labour says.
Climate Change Minister Tim Groser announced yesterday the scheme was being softened because of the fragile global economy and slow progress by other countries.
Agriculture, which had been due to come into the polluter pays scheme in 2015, has been given an indefinite reprieve and other dates and levels have been pushed out.
Mr Groser says New Zealand is still doing its fair share, and more than many other countries.
"This isn't the time to put the foot on the accelerator, and it isn't the time to back the ETS truck up the drive," he told reporters.
Prime Minister John Key says going too fast would drive companies offshore because they wouldn't be able to compete internationally if they stayed in New Zealand.
"International progress has been very modest, at best," Mr Key said.
Labour's climate change spokeswoman, Moana Mackey, is describing the changes as "the Government's latest cop out" which is going to mean taxpayers have to pay for the big polluters as the Government meets its international obligations.
"Future Governments will be faxed with having to make major cuts and radical changes because of the Government's apathy and total lack of action on climate change," she said.
Mr Key says people won't notice any difference because of the changes and the cost to the Government - about $80 million - has already been factored into budgets.
"It won't have any impact on the Government's finances," he said.
NZN