New Zealand puts green petrol scheme on hold

The New Zealand government said it will delay for two years adding liquid fuels such as petrol for cars to a national emissions trading scheme to cut greenhouse gas output because it would add to already skyrocketing prices.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said today the delay until January 2011 in imposing the emissions trading scheme - which could add up to 8 cents a litre or 2.08 New Zealand dollars (€1.06) a gallon to the price of petrol and diesel fuel - would help protect consumers.