Getting more from less: a review of progress on energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in New Zealand

Report summaryMore from less cover.

 

A review of progress made with the implementation of energy efficiency initiatives as a contribution to sustainable development in New Zealand. The report highlights the need for strong Government leadership and partnership with all sectors, particularly industry, business and local government.

 

Commissioner's preface

The efficiency with which a nation uses energy may well be a sign of its maturity. Many nations deliver far more to their societies from each unit of energy than does New Zealand. There are very compelling environmental, social and economic reasons why, in energy terms, we must grow up rapidly.

 

Executive summary

The report addresses the ability of public authorities and their environmental management systems to ensure a sustainable future through the management of the urban environment. It was identified as an issue in the 1998 urban environment investigation.

The way New Zealand utilises energy is a crucial determinant of progress towards being a more ecologically sustainable society, a more competitive world trader, and, in the greenhouse gas context, a more responsible global nation. There is increasing concern that New Zealand is falling behind other OECD countries in improving energy efficiency and addressing new sources of renewable energy. 

Findings & recommendations

The most important issue identified in the report is the need for strong Government leadership to fully address energy efficiency, renewable energy and demand management issues in the energy and transport sectors. This will need to occur in partnership with all sectors, particularly industry, business and local government.

The report makes a series of recommendations to the Ministers of Energy, Transport, Environment and Revenue on:

  • establishing a Government energy efficiency and renewable energy agency;
  • developing a new energy efficiency and renewable energy strategy;
  • auditing the effectiveness of departmental and inter-departmental processes for reporting on the environmental impacts of energy and transport sector policy proposals;
  • reviewing the adequacy of electricity and gas markets to address energy demand management and the impacts of fixed line pricing on energy efficiency;
  • investigating and reporting on opportunities for addressing the environmental effects of transport patterns and the energy efficiency of the transport sector; and
  • investigating and reporting on the use of consumption and pollution-based taxes.
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