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Source: ONE News -
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Cleaning up the economy seems to be costing New Zealand its 'clean, green image'.
The government is scaling back funding for environmental initiatives, at a time when the rest of the world is pumping money into it.
The government says it's being forced to cut funding in the area because of a $26 million shortfall in the environment budget.
However some think the move could end up costing New Zealand money.
"We make about $1.5 billion a year...because of our clean green reputation, and we could lose that," says Green Party co-leader, Russel Norman.
The funding cutbacks come as other countries are pumping more money into the climate.
US President Barack Obama has pledged $150 billion into clean energy and green collar jobs for the United States.
The idea of a Carbon-Neutral public service has been scrapped, so too the Bioethics Council, a body which addresses cultural and spiritual issues.
"It's a great concern because these issues take us to the heart of who we are as a community and the social justice issues that underpin bioethics," says Micheal McCabe, Bioethics New Zealand.
Labours biofuel legislation was also binned at the end of last year. It would have forced oil companies to start blending biofuels into standard diesel and petrol.
And recycling may be a Kiwi way of living, however the government is also cutting back funding in that area.
