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The place for NZ oriented news releases on climate change and related energy policy.
Climate Change
Overheads from a Murray Ward talk
Overheads from a Murray Ward talk
Bob Watson Profile
Bob Watson is speaking at several engagements in New Zealand next week, including one organised by EDS.
Bob Watson is speaking at several engagements in New Zealand next week, including one organised by EDS.
Climate Change
New New Zealand Government website
New New Zealand Government website
Mighty River resource consent application - Waikato River
This report discusses carbon emission consequences of different modes of operation (pdf)
This report discusses carbon emission consequences of different modes of operation (pdf)
Bush softens stance on global warming, U.N. official says
The Bush administration has toned down its criticism of the 1997 Kyoto climate change treaty and is no longer insisting it is dead, Dutch Environmental Minister Jan Pronk said Wednesday.
The Bush administration has toned down its criticism of the 1997 Kyoto climate change treaty and is no longer insisting it is dead, Dutch Environmental Minister Jan Pronk said Wednesday.
SOMETHING’S IN THE AIR!
Energy Federation of NZ Inc
invite you and your colleagues to a conference
The NZ Road to Cleaner Air
(NZ Conference on Vehicle Emissions and Urban Air Quality)
International and national speakers address the latest developments in
~ Air Quality ~ Engine Technologies ~ Fuels ~ Vehicle Emissions ~
Day 1: Wednesday 27 June, 9.30am – 6.00pm
Technical workshop, followed by the Conference Dinner
Day 2: Thursday 28 June, 9.00am – 4.00pm
Open Forum and Panel “Which Way for NZ?”
Duxton Hotel, Wakefield Street, Wellington
$550 (both days) $300 (1 day only)
(10% discount for full payment before 18 May, and for Energy Federation members)
Register your interest and to receive programme and registration details by e-mail to energy.fed@xtra.co.nz
Places are limited, so register your interest at once.
Conference: The NZ Road to Cleaner Air, 2001
Day 1 - 27 June: Workshop
Urban air quality in NZ – The science and the standards
The NZ vehicle fleet and the VFECS study
Vehicle emission standards around the globe
The Auto Oil programmes – Gasoline and diesel
World-Wide Fuel Charter (Auto company expectations)
How do NZ fuels stack up? A refinery plans for the future - NZRC
Do additives have a role? Detergents, alcohols, combustion improving additives
New exhaust after-treatment technologies – diesel cats, traps
New engine technologies – GDi, common rail, hybrids
Day 2 – 28 June: Open Forum
Minister to open
Urban transport emissions – a global problem
Emissions and air toxics – the cost to health
Urban air – a Maori perspective
0800 Smokey – the origin of Auckland’s visible smog
NZ urban air quality - options for improvement (VFECS)
Local Government seeks solutions
Vehicles today and tomorrow – what they offer and the fuels they need
What’s been happening in Australia (National Fuels Quality standards)
Well-to-Wheels – a look into the future
Cleaner fuels and climate change – the refinery balancing act
The vehicle, the auto service industry, and the owner – maintaining optimal performance
Panel discussion – Which way for NZ?
Energy Federation of NZ Inc
invite you and your colleagues to a conference
The NZ Road to Cleaner Air
(NZ Conference on Vehicle Emissions and Urban Air Quality)
International and national speakers address the latest developments in
~ Air Quality ~ Engine Technologies ~ Fuels ~ Vehicle Emissions ~
Day 1: Wednesday 27 June, 9.30am – 6.00pm
Technical workshop, followed by the Conference Dinner
Day 2: Thursday 28 June, 9.00am – 4.00pm
Open Forum and Panel “Which Way for NZ?”
Duxton Hotel, Wakefield Street, Wellington
$550 (both days) $300 (1 day only)
(10% discount for full payment before 18 May, and for Energy Federation members)
Register your interest and to receive programme and registration details by e-mail to energy.fed@xtra.co.nz
Places are limited, so register your interest at once.
Conference: The NZ Road to Cleaner Air, 2001
Day 1 - 27 June: Workshop
Urban air quality in NZ – The science and the standards
The NZ vehicle fleet and the VFECS study
Vehicle emission standards around the globe
The Auto Oil programmes – Gasoline and diesel
World-Wide Fuel Charter (Auto company expectations)
How do NZ fuels stack up? A refinery plans for the future - NZRC
Do additives have a role? Detergents, alcohols, combustion improving additives
New exhaust after-treatment technologies – diesel cats, traps
New engine technologies – GDi, common rail, hybrids
Day 2 – 28 June: Open Forum
Minister to open
Urban transport emissions – a global problem
Emissions and air toxics – the cost to health
Urban air – a Maori perspective
0800 Smokey – the origin of Auckland’s visible smog
NZ urban air quality - options for improvement (VFECS)
Local Government seeks solutions
Vehicles today and tomorrow – what they offer and the fuels they need
What’s been happening in Australia (National Fuels Quality standards)
Well-to-Wheels – a look into the future
Cleaner fuels and climate change – the refinery balancing act
The vehicle, the auto service industry, and the owner – maintaining optimal performance
Panel discussion – Which way for NZ?
Australia won't ratify Kyoto accord on climate change, cites U.S. opposition
The Australian government indicated Sunday it won't ratify the Kyoto agreement on climate change, drawing immediate criticism from a global meeting of environmental activists.
Australian Environment Minister Robert Hill said the Kyoto Protocol for reducing greenhouse gas emissions was defunct because the United States would not ratify it.
The Australian government indicated Sunday it won't ratify the Kyoto agreement on climate change, drawing immediate criticism from a global meeting of environmental activists.
Australian Environment Minister Robert Hill said the Kyoto Protocol for reducing greenhouse gas emissions was defunct because the United States would not ratify it.
Green Power - But who will use it?
But Dr Turner's scheme is only a proposal, and, if it gets off the ground (it would be operational in six years), who would use this electricity?
Meridian has already made its views known about constraints on Transpower's transmission lines, which prevent it getting power to Auckland at peak times.
Dr Turner brushes that concern aside. Comalco has stepped up consumption by 800 GWh since 1995, an amount equal to New Zealand's annual consumption growth.
Otago and Southland have been booming on the back of horticulture, viticulture and energy-demanding dairy farm conversions. Downstream processing from those alone will demand new electricity sources. And demand can only increase from the boost to production from improved irrigation.
But Dr Turner's scheme is only a proposal, and, if it gets off the ground (it would be operational in six years), who would use this electricity?
Meridian has already made its views known about constraints on Transpower's transmission lines, which prevent it getting power to Auckland at peak times.
Dr Turner brushes that concern aside. Comalco has stepped up consumption by 800 GWh since 1995, an amount equal to New Zealand's annual consumption growth.
Otago and Southland have been booming on the back of horticulture, viticulture and energy-demanding dairy farm conversions. Downstream processing from those alone will demand new electricity sources. And demand can only increase from the boost to production from improved irrigation.
Assurances on Kyoto welcome
The messages given by Science Minister Pete Hodgson this week on New Zealand's position over the Kyoto Protocol are reassuring and welcome, the Employers & Manufacturers Association says.
"Business was concerned New Zealand would try to adopt climate change controls ahead of a commitment by our trading partners do the same," said Bruce Goldsworthy, EMA's Director of Manufacturing.
"Minister Hodgson's statements this week saying this will not be the case recognises our business competitiveness and investment potential would be put at risk by any unilateral action.
"We welcome Government's recognition the concern is legitimate and real and that it intends to proceed cautiously, and will consult affected parties before making commitments.
The messages given by Science Minister Pete Hodgson this week on New Zealand's position over the Kyoto Protocol are reassuring and welcome, the Employers & Manufacturers Association says.
"Business was concerned New Zealand would try to adopt climate change controls ahead of a commitment by our trading partners do the same," said Bruce Goldsworthy, EMA's Director of Manufacturing.
"Minister Hodgson's statements this week saying this will not be the case recognises our business competitiveness and investment potential would be put at risk by any unilateral action.
"We welcome Government's recognition the concern is legitimate and real and that it intends to proceed cautiously, and will consult affected parties before making commitments.
Australia can meet Kyoto target: Opposition The Federal Opposition says Australia is not doing enough to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
Latest figures show emissions increased by more than 1 per cent in 1999.
Labor's environment spokesman Nick Bolkus says that means the Kyoto target of a 5 per cent increase on 1990 levels by 2010 is within grasp, despite a scare campaign by the Government.
"If Kyoto collapses the next set of targets for Australia will be enormously difficult," he said.
Latest figures show emissions increased by more than 1 per cent in 1999.
Labor's environment spokesman Nick Bolkus says that means the Kyoto target of a 5 per cent increase on 1990 levels by 2010 is within grasp, despite a scare campaign by the Government.
"If Kyoto collapses the next set of targets for Australia will be enormously difficult," he said.
New renewables energy pursued by Meridian
State-owned power generator Meridian Energy is pursuing a $970 million hydro-electricity and irrigation scheme on the Lower Waitaki River that would boost national electricity production 8 per cent.
The company said yesterday that it was exploring a hydro project on the south bank of the river that would generate 3200GW/h of electricity a year and irrigate nearly 39,000ha of South Canterbury and North Otago land.
State-owned power generator Meridian Energy is pursuing a $970 million hydro-electricity and irrigation scheme on the Lower Waitaki River that would boost national electricity production 8 per cent.
The company said yesterday that it was exploring a hydro project on the south bank of the river that would generate 3200GW/h of electricity a year and irrigate nearly 39,000ha of South Canterbury and North Otago land.
Pete Hodgson on Climate Treaty Negotiations
I want now to turn to the recent announcements by the United States that it does not support the Protocol, that it finds it flawed by virtue of its current focus on binding commitments for developed countries alone rather than all countries and wishes to look afresh at how the issue of climate change can be tackled in a manner that does not harm US economic interests.
No one should be in any doubt that these are serious developments. They have implications for the negotiation process, which will only be clearly understood when we know what Washington proposes. The fact is that we won't know all we need to know until July.
I must say I am encouraged by the strong expressions of commitment to the Protocol negotiation process that have been forthcoming. No developed country has come out in open support of the US position.
Many, New Zealand included, have expressed their dismay and called for Washington to complete its review of the issues and come back to negotiations quickly and fully.
Yesterday afternoon I met the acting US Ambassador and repeated the message. Nations around the world are doing the same.
The United States, with about four percent of the world’s population, is responsible for 25 percent of total CO2 emissions. So it is in everyone’s interest that the US is inside the negotiation process.
The process of finalising the Protocol rests, however, with the much wider membership of the Convention, nearly all of whom strongly support the earliest completion of negotiations
I want now to turn to the recent announcements by the United States that it does not support the Protocol, that it finds it flawed by virtue of its current focus on binding commitments for developed countries alone rather than all countries and wishes to look afresh at how the issue of climate change can be tackled in a manner that does not harm US economic interests.
No one should be in any doubt that these are serious developments. They have implications for the negotiation process, which will only be clearly understood when we know what Washington proposes. The fact is that we won't know all we need to know until July.
I must say I am encouraged by the strong expressions of commitment to the Protocol negotiation process that have been forthcoming. No developed country has come out in open support of the US position.
Many, New Zealand included, have expressed their dismay and called for Washington to complete its review of the issues and come back to negotiations quickly and fully.
Yesterday afternoon I met the acting US Ambassador and repeated the message. Nations around the world are doing the same.
The United States, with about four percent of the world’s population, is responsible for 25 percent of total CO2 emissions. So it is in everyone’s interest that the US is inside the negotiation process.
The process of finalising the Protocol rests, however, with the much wider membership of the Convention, nearly all of whom strongly support the earliest completion of negotiations
Scoop: Upton Online: Global Warming
The argument is that there are so many cheap deals out there in the nascent market for CO2 permits, that Europe (which has talked about ratifying regardless of the US) should rush out and tie up a series of strategic alliances with those countries that have cheap “hot air” permits available, in particular Russia. The first mover advantage could seriously disadvantage the US if it subsequently decided to come on board. The EU would have mopped up the lowest cost permits and taken a commanding position in the market. In addition, the authors argue, the EU should take a strategic position with developing countries through transfers to fund adaptation strategies and projects under the clean development mechanism.
The argument is that there are so many cheap deals out there in the nascent market for CO2 permits, that Europe (which has talked about ratifying regardless of the US) should rush out and tie up a series of strategic alliances with those countries that have cheap “hot air” permits available, in particular Russia. The first mover advantage could seriously disadvantage the US if it subsequently decided to come on board. The EU would have mopped up the lowest cost permits and taken a commanding position in the market. In addition, the authors argue, the EU should take a strategic position with developing countries through transfers to fund adaptation strategies and projects under the clean development mechanism.
Business and energy - Hodgson Speech
Many people are far too quick to assume that taking steps to address climate change will be bad for business. In fact there will be business opportunities arising from the need to meet our Kyoto protocol responsibilities.
The need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency will directly encourage technological innovation. Promotion of energy efficiency as a response to climate change will encourage innovative business developments and industries, such as renewable energy generation through fuel cell technology and alternative fuels.
A proactive business approach to climate change will minimise risk, build public image, prepare for possible incentive and trading programmes, reduce costs, increase productivity, and refocus operations or investment.
Many people are far too quick to assume that taking steps to address climate change will be bad for business. In fact there will be business opportunities arising from the need to meet our Kyoto protocol responsibilities.
The need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency will directly encourage technological innovation. Promotion of energy efficiency as a response to climate change will encourage innovative business developments and industries, such as renewable energy generation through fuel cell technology and alternative fuels.
A proactive business approach to climate change will minimise risk, build public image, prepare for possible incentive and trading programmes, reduce costs, increase productivity, and refocus operations or investment.
CARTOON GALLERY - TOM SCOTT
Bush and cutting carbon
Bush and cutting carbon
EU hints at special greenhouse gas deal for US
European Union leaders say parts of the Kyoto Protocol on curbing global warming could be renegotiated to suit the United States, which has refused to ratify it.
European Union leaders say parts of the Kyoto Protocol on curbing global warming could be renegotiated to suit the United States, which has refused to ratify it.
New Zealand asks US to cooperate on global warming
New Zealand asked the United States on Monday to cooperate with the rest of the world on global warming, especially for the sake of small Pacific nations where many people are at risk from rising oceans.
New Zealand asked the United States on Monday to cooperate with the rest of the world on global warming, especially for the sake of small Pacific nations where many people are at risk from rising oceans.
CARTOON GALLERY - MURRAY WEBB
Bush and Global Warming
Bush and Global Warming
Statement by Environment Minister David Anderson on Climate Change
Today I met with European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom.... During our meeting, I reiterated our Government's firm position that implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is Canada's goal. I also reported to the European Union on discussions I held yesterday with ministerial colleagues from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and the United States. We all agreed on the importance of continuing to work together closely. The United States reiterated that it is carrying out a Cabinet-level review of its climate change policy. Canada encouraged the United States to complete this review as soon as possible to facilitate the international negotiations. Canada and other countries also advised the United States that we are continuing to base our positions on the Kyoto Protocol and that we look forward to new ideas and proposals from all concerned on how we can further our efforts to address this critical issue.
Today I met with European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom.... During our meeting, I reiterated our Government's firm position that implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is Canada's goal. I also reported to the European Union on discussions I held yesterday with ministerial colleagues from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and the United States. We all agreed on the importance of continuing to work together closely. The United States reiterated that it is carrying out a Cabinet-level review of its climate change policy. Canada encouraged the United States to complete this review as soon as possible to facilitate the international negotiations. Canada and other countries also advised the United States that we are continuing to base our positions on the Kyoto Protocol and that we look forward to new ideas and proposals from all concerned on how we can further our efforts to address this critical issue.
Climate change causes Atlantic rift
America's pollution is angering Europe
US President George W Bush's refusal to be part of the Kyoto accord to slow down global warming has insulted his European allies and caused a serious cooling down of transatlantic relations.
But Mr Bush's high-handed treatment of Europe may leave him isolated in his hour of need as he faces the challenge of a diplomatic standoff with China.
America's pollution is angering Europe
US President George W Bush's refusal to be part of the Kyoto accord to slow down global warming has insulted his European allies and caused a serious cooling down of transatlantic relations.
But Mr Bush's high-handed treatment of Europe may leave him isolated in his hour of need as he faces the challenge of a diplomatic standoff with China.
Prodi vows Kyoto will go ahead 'with or without US'
Romano Prodi, the president of the European Commission, has warned George Bush that the European Union intends to go ahead with a landmark agreement on global warming "with or without the United States" because it is the only option available to save the planet.
Romano Prodi, the president of the European Commission, has warned George Bush that the European Union intends to go ahead with a landmark agreement on global warming "with or without the United States" because it is the only option available to save the planet.
Dialogue: Let's not panic about global warming policy
Energy prices do not tell the environmental truth. They conceal huge cross-subsidies from poor countries to rich ones and from the future to the present, because the greenhouse effect offloads much of the cost of fossil fuel consumption to other places and times.
Energy prices do not tell the environmental truth. They conceal huge cross-subsidies from poor countries to rich ones and from the future to the present, because the greenhouse effect offloads much of the cost of fossil fuel consumption to other places and times.
No point in our going it alone on climate change, says Hodgson
New Zealand will not go it alone with measures to combat global warming, says Energy Minister Pete Hodgson.
New Zealand will not go it alone with measures to combat global warming, says Energy Minister Pete Hodgson.
Herald Editorial: Kyoto Protocol not such a good idea
New Zealand, in step with many other countries, has voiced its grave concern over the United States' abandonment of the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions. There was good reason for disappointment, and not only because President George W. Bush's decision left the fight against global warming in tatters.
New Zealand, in step with many other countries, has voiced its grave concern over the United States' abandonment of the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions. There was good reason for disappointment, and not only because President George W. Bush's decision left the fight against global warming in tatters.
$750m magnesium plant - cheap electricity is the attraction
Pima Mining chairman Patrick Elliott told the Business Herald yesterday that electricity prices, construction prices and labour costs made New Zealand an attractive place to build a plant.
Magnesium is at present riding a wave of popularity as a lightweight alternative to other materials used in the automotive industry. It is also used in mobile phone casings, laptop computers, and bicycle frames.
Magnesium is produced by an electrolytic process - similar to that used to produce aluminium. A plant would, therefore, be a major power user.
Comment: Magnesium is important for reducing the weight and hence helping the energy efficiency of cars. More energy intensive industry being attracted by our low prices is less welcome if we are really to improve the efficiency of our energy use and our economic output in relation to energy input.
Pima Mining chairman Patrick Elliott told the Business Herald yesterday that electricity prices, construction prices and labour costs made New Zealand an attractive place to build a plant.
Magnesium is at present riding a wave of popularity as a lightweight alternative to other materials used in the automotive industry. It is also used in mobile phone casings, laptop computers, and bicycle frames.
Magnesium is produced by an electrolytic process - similar to that used to produce aluminium. A plant would, therefore, be a major power user.
Comment: Magnesium is important for reducing the weight and hence helping the energy efficiency of cars. More energy intensive industry being attracted by our low prices is less welcome if we are really to improve the efficiency of our energy use and our economic output in relation to energy input.
EU Says Ready to Sideline U.S. in Climate Talks
The European Union said on Wednesday it was ready to sideline the United States in future climate change talks because Washington had abandoned a key treaty on the issue.
"Climate change is happening now and is a serious threat to the future of mankind. We are prepared if necessary to go forward without the U.S.," the EU's Swedish presidency and executive Commission said in a joint statement.
"We cannot allow one country to declare as dead the process for addressing this major global issue," Swedish Environment Minister Kjell Larsson said. "However we still hope to have the United States involved in the (Kyoto) Protocol as soon as possible."
The European Union said on Wednesday it was ready to sideline the United States in future climate change talks because Washington had abandoned a key treaty on the issue.
"Climate change is happening now and is a serious threat to the future of mankind. We are prepared if necessary to go forward without the U.S.," the EU's Swedish presidency and executive Commission said in a joint statement.
"We cannot allow one country to declare as dead the process for addressing this major global issue," Swedish Environment Minister Kjell Larsson said. "However we still hope to have the United States involved in the (Kyoto) Protocol as soon as possible."
Climate Alliances For New Zealand
The announcement by President Bush that the USA will not be continuing with the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Climate Convention leaves New Zealand with some dilemmas.
These are compounded somewhat by the announcement by the EU that it still intends to pursue ratification by 2002 and is commencing a round of visits by very senior officials with Canada, Russia, Iran, China and Japan to discuss climate change.
The announcement by President Bush that the USA will not be continuing with the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Climate Convention leaves New Zealand with some dilemmas.
These are compounded somewhat by the announcement by the EU that it still intends to pursue ratification by 2002 and is commencing a round of visits by very senior officials with Canada, Russia, Iran, China and Japan to discuss climate change.
Genesis links Huntly project to retaining low debt
The Government may strip hundreds of millions of dollars in cash from the state-owned electricity companies and load them with higher debt, a commerce select committee report issued on Tuesday hints.
The commerce committee issued its 1999-2000 financial review of the three SOE electricity generators on Tuesday and said it was looking at "optimising" the gearing ratios (equity to total assets) of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power and Genesis Power.
The Government may strip hundreds of millions of dollars in cash from the state-owned electricity companies and load them with higher debt, a commerce select committee report issued on Tuesday hints.
The commerce committee issued its 1999-2000 financial review of the three SOE electricity generators on Tuesday and said it was looking at "optimising" the gearing ratios (equity to total assets) of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power and Genesis Power.
Pathways for renewable energy - Hodgson Speech
Our biggest issue is emissions from the agricultural sector, which make up about 55 percent of total emissions compared to 7 percent from electricity generation.
True, emissions from thermal generation have been growing over the past decade. They’ve gone from roughly 4 percent to roughly 7 percent.
At the same time, emissions from the transport sector have grown from about 11 percent to about 15 percent of all emissions.
So there are other major sectors of the economy where the challenge of reducing emissions is as big or greater than it is in electricity.
I suspect that liquid biofuels and then hydrogen – made first perhaps from natural gas and then from electricity – will become very important in the wider, and longer term, greenhouse gas picture.
Our biggest issue is emissions from the agricultural sector, which make up about 55 percent of total emissions compared to 7 percent from electricity generation.
True, emissions from thermal generation have been growing over the past decade. They’ve gone from roughly 4 percent to roughly 7 percent.
At the same time, emissions from the transport sector have grown from about 11 percent to about 15 percent of all emissions.
So there are other major sectors of the economy where the challenge of reducing emissions is as big or greater than it is in electricity.
I suspect that liquid biofuels and then hydrogen – made first perhaps from natural gas and then from electricity – will become very important in the wider, and longer term, greenhouse gas picture.
New Zealand adds voice to global warming controversy
Fallout continued Monday over the Bush administration's rejection of a global warming treaty, with New Zealand's foreign minister urging the United States to start working on the problem "as soon as possible."
"This is a real problem. It has to be addressed," said Phil Goff, minister for foreign affairs and trade.
"We would expect the United States to remain involved and to work with the international community to find a solution ... to the problem of global warning," Goff told reporters as he left a meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell at the State Department.
Fallout continued Monday over the Bush administration's rejection of a global warming treaty, with New Zealand's foreign minister urging the United States to start working on the problem "as soon as possible."
"This is a real problem. It has to be addressed," said Phil Goff, minister for foreign affairs and trade.
"We would expect the United States to remain involved and to work with the international community to find a solution ... to the problem of global warning," Goff told reporters as he left a meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell at the State Department.
Hodgson on New Zealand's increasing carbon emissions from thermal power generation ]
I've been talking about a review designed to check the efficiency of New Zealand's gas market, but we already know that our use of energy in all its readily available forms is not nearly as efficient as it should be.
International comparisons show we have champagne energy tastes on a beer budget. And we are predicted to use 13% more energy in 2012 than we do now.
Our energy use accounts for over 80% of our carbon dioxide emissions. By 2012, our energy demand is set to push up carbon dioxide emissions to 45% over 1990 levels. We have international obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but we are on a track of steadily increasing use of carbon dioxide-emitting fossil fuels.
Earlier this month the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report showing the scope for action to address climate change. The striking finding in that report was that energy efficiency technologies and practices in buildings, transport and manufacturing make up more than half of the potential global emissions reductions internationally.
I've been talking about a review designed to check the efficiency of New Zealand's gas market, but we already know that our use of energy in all its readily available forms is not nearly as efficient as it should be.
International comparisons show we have champagne energy tastes on a beer budget. And we are predicted to use 13% more energy in 2012 than we do now.
Our energy use accounts for over 80% of our carbon dioxide emissions. By 2012, our energy demand is set to push up carbon dioxide emissions to 45% over 1990 levels. We have international obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but we are on a track of steadily increasing use of carbon dioxide-emitting fossil fuels.
Earlier this month the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report showing the scope for action to address climate change. The striking finding in that report was that energy efficiency technologies and practices in buildings, transport and manufacturing make up more than half of the potential global emissions reductions internationally.
