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The place for NZ oriented news releases on climate change and related energy policy.
Fletcher Building seeks Negotiated Greenhouse Agreement
The Government will enter negotiations for a Negotiated Greenhouse Agreement with Fletcher Building Limited.
Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements (NGAs) are a key element of New Zealand's climate change policy, says the Convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson. 'These agreements will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while safeguarding the international competitiveness of New Zealand businesses.'
An NGA is a binding agreement between a firm and the Government that commits the firm to moving towards world's best practice in managing greenhouse gas emissions. In return, the Government provides a full or partial exemption for the firm from the emissions charge that is to be introduced by 2008. NGAs are limited to firms or industries whose international competitiveness would be at risk from an emissions charge. "
The Government will enter negotiations for a Negotiated Greenhouse Agreement with Fletcher Building Limited.
Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements (NGAs) are a key element of New Zealand's climate change policy, says the Convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson. 'These agreements will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while safeguarding the international competitiveness of New Zealand businesses.'
An NGA is a binding agreement between a firm and the Government that commits the firm to moving towards world's best practice in managing greenhouse gas emissions. In return, the Government provides a full or partial exemption for the firm from the emissions charge that is to be introduced by 2008. NGAs are limited to firms or industries whose international competitiveness would be at risk from an emissions charge. "
Brash Speech to Marine Industry Association of NZ
"Combine that with the premature decision to sign up to Kyoto and deny us the opportunity to capitalise on our massive coal reserves - and New Zealand is looking like an increasingly dark and lonely place.
Comment: Kyoto doesn't deny use of Coal. Lonely? Does National have a policy on greenhouse gases consistent with the UNFCCC?
"Combine that with the premature decision to sign up to Kyoto and deny us the opportunity to capitalise on our massive coal reserves - and New Zealand is looking like an increasingly dark and lonely place.
Comment: Kyoto doesn't deny use of Coal. Lonely? Does National have a policy on greenhouse gases consistent with the UNFCCC?
NZ scientist scuttles own ocean Further research by a Dunedin oceanographer has torpedoed a theory that fertilising microscopic plants in the oceans could cut a build-up of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Iron fertilisation of plants in the surface ocean may not be the answer to removing excess 'greenhouse gas' carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, according to a paper by Dr Philip Boyd and overseas researchers, published by the academic journal Nature. "
Iron fertilisation of plants in the surface ocean may not be the answer to removing excess 'greenhouse gas' carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, according to a paper by Dr Philip Boyd and overseas researchers, published by the academic journal Nature. "
Living Energy - Energy Solutions for Industry
Living Energy provides cost effective wood-based energy solutions to industrial heat users.
Living Energy provides cost effective wood-based energy solutions to industrial heat users.
Euro Parliament adopts Linking Directive
The European Parliament voted on 20 April to adopt the Directive linking the EU emissions trading scheme to other trading systems and CO2 reduction projects.
Other than a few members of the UK Independent Party, the majority of the Parliament voted in favour, according to rapporteur and Dutch MEP, Alexander de Roo. The Directive can now enter into force once it is adopted by the EU Council without debate and published in the EC Official Journal.
European firms will be able to use CDM credits (called CERs) from January 2005 and JI credits (ERUs) from 2008, independent of the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. That cannot happen until either Russia (or, highly unlikely, the US) ratify the Protocol."
The European Parliament voted on 20 April to adopt the Directive linking the EU emissions trading scheme to other trading systems and CO2 reduction projects.
Other than a few members of the UK Independent Party, the majority of the Parliament voted in favour, according to rapporteur and Dutch MEP, Alexander de Roo. The Directive can now enter into force once it is adopted by the EU Council without debate and published in the EC Official Journal.
European firms will be able to use CDM credits (called CERs) from January 2005 and JI credits (ERUs) from 2008, independent of the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. That cannot happen until either Russia (or, highly unlikely, the US) ratify the Protocol."
Russian ministry backs Kyoto as Duma says no
Russia's government and parliament looked to be headed for a collision on Thursday, with key Duma committees rejecting the Kyoto Protocol while a major ministry spoke out in favour of the environmental treaty."
Russia's government and parliament looked to be headed for a collision on Thursday, with key Duma committees rejecting the Kyoto Protocol while a major ministry spoke out in favour of the environmental treaty."
'Greener' petrol plan stalls before start line
Plans to mix 'green' ethanol with petrol in New Zealand cars have collapsed.
Australian-owned Gull Petroleum, which had planned to blend up to 10 per cent ethanol into its petrol, has shelved the idea after importers of Japanese used cars refused to guarantee that the fuel would run smoothly in their vehicles.
Gull retail operations manager Ulrik Olsen said New Zealand and Japan were now virtually the only developed countries not using ethanol. "
Plans to mix 'green' ethanol with petrol in New Zealand cars have collapsed.
Australian-owned Gull Petroleum, which had planned to blend up to 10 per cent ethanol into its petrol, has shelved the idea after importers of Japanese used cars refused to guarantee that the fuel would run smoothly in their vehicles.
Gull retail operations manager Ulrik Olsen said New Zealand and Japan were now virtually the only developed countries not using ethanol. "
Kyoto cost: millions every year says Genesis
State-owned electricity generator Genesis Energy has warned ministers the impending carbon tax will cost it millions and has lobbied ministers for an exemption.
Genesis owns the coal-fired Huntly Power Station. The role of coal in electricity generation has been thrown into even sharper relief with the demise of Project Aqua two weeks ago. "
State-owned electricity generator Genesis Energy has warned ministers the impending carbon tax will cost it millions and has lobbied ministers for an exemption.
Genesis owns the coal-fired Huntly Power Station. The role of coal in electricity generation has been thrown into even sharper relief with the demise of Project Aqua two weeks ago. "
Modern wind turbines cost-competitive and quiet
COMMENT
James Glennie: Modern wind turbines cost-competitive and quiet
Chris de Freitas, in a Perspectives article, extolled the virtues of coal and denigrated the wind industry. Regrettably, his conclusions were based on selected, old or incorrect data.
He wrote that the price of electricity from wind-turbine generators in Britain was £50/MWh, and used this to justify the claim that wind power was uneconomic. The reality is that in Britain renewably generated electricity receives a government-mandated subsidy, which is about £50/MWh.
The cost of generation is significantly less than this subsidy.
COMMENT
James Glennie: Modern wind turbines cost-competitive and quiet
Chris de Freitas, in a Perspectives article, extolled the virtues of coal and denigrated the wind industry. Regrettably, his conclusions were based on selected, old or incorrect data.
He wrote that the price of electricity from wind-turbine generators in Britain was £50/MWh, and used this to justify the claim that wind power was uneconomic. The reality is that in Britain renewably generated electricity receives a government-mandated subsidy, which is about £50/MWh.
The cost of generation is significantly less than this subsidy.
Coal's the best answer to electricity shortages
COMMENT
Chris de Freitas: Coal's the best answer to electricity shortages
For supporters of renewable energy, the holy grail of producing the bulk of the country's electricity needs from so-called clean sources seemed like an impossible dream this week when Meridian Energy scrapped the $1.2 billion Waitaki River hydro scheme.
The failure of Meridian's Project Aqua and lack of legislative support for it is more proof that the Government has no viable policy for ensuring available supplies of energy. In fact, it has clearly decided to limit its options for security of supply.
We are still some way from a full-blown energy crisis but time is eating away its margin of comfort. Our great reliance on natural gas and its looming shortage will drive energy prices steadily upwards.
At the same time, the Government is facing a moratorium on new coal-fired electricity generation, so that New Zealand can meet its commitments to the Kyoto Protocol, which some people believe is not necessary. ...............
See the next post for a response to this. ...and Kyoto is not a moratorium on coal.
COMMENT
Chris de Freitas: Coal's the best answer to electricity shortages
For supporters of renewable energy, the holy grail of producing the bulk of the country's electricity needs from so-called clean sources seemed like an impossible dream this week when Meridian Energy scrapped the $1.2 billion Waitaki River hydro scheme.
The failure of Meridian's Project Aqua and lack of legislative support for it is more proof that the Government has no viable policy for ensuring available supplies of energy. In fact, it has clearly decided to limit its options for security of supply.
We are still some way from a full-blown energy crisis but time is eating away its margin of comfort. Our great reliance on natural gas and its looming shortage will drive energy prices steadily upwards.
At the same time, the Government is facing a moratorium on new coal-fired electricity generation, so that New Zealand can meet its commitments to the Kyoto Protocol, which some people believe is not necessary. ...............
See the next post for a response to this. ...and Kyoto is not a moratorium on coal.
Aus Energy Target Causes Anger
The $16 billion renewable energy industry has accused the government of threatening manufacturers' competitiveness and exposing taxpayers to hefty clean-up costs by backpedalling on a commitment on mandatory renewable energy targets.
The government promised in 1997 that it would mandate 2 per cent of electricity to come from renewable energy sources by 2010.
But the industry says the target now on offer is, at 9500 gigawatt hours, well below predictions that put 2 per cent of energy use in 2010 at about 14,000 GWh.
The government maintains it only ever put 9500 GWh about the amount needed to power 4 million homes on the table. In 1997 that equalled 2 per cent."
The $16 billion renewable energy industry has accused the government of threatening manufacturers' competitiveness and exposing taxpayers to hefty clean-up costs by backpedalling on a commitment on mandatory renewable energy targets.
The government promised in 1997 that it would mandate 2 per cent of electricity to come from renewable energy sources by 2010.
But the industry says the target now on offer is, at 9500 gigawatt hours, well below predictions that put 2 per cent of energy use in 2010 at about 14,000 GWh.
The government maintains it only ever put 9500 GWh about the amount needed to power 4 million homes on the table. In 1997 that equalled 2 per cent."
Search for fuel means being realistic on climate change
All consumers want is the cheapest possible power consistent with keeping the lights on. Is that too much to ask?
Lately it seems to be.
Over the past two years, electricity prices have risen by around 17 per cent, yet in two of the past three years we have faced shortages requiring public save-energy campaigns.
So even before Meridian Energy pulled the plug on Project Aqua this week, it was evident that these are challenging times for the electricity sector.
All consumers want is the cheapest possible power consistent with keeping the lights on. Is that too much to ask?
Lately it seems to be.
Over the past two years, electricity prices have risen by around 17 per cent, yet in two of the past three years we have faced shortages requiring public save-energy campaigns.
So even before Meridian Energy pulled the plug on Project Aqua this week, it was evident that these are challenging times for the electricity sector.
Aqua - Engineers Call For Sustainable Alternatives
"There are more options to meet New Zealand’s energy demand than Project Aqua provided," according to Gerry Coates, Immediate Past-President of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).
Mr Coates has led a team of engineers over the last year, looking at how sustainability could be more effectively implemented in New Zealand. "Sustainability seemed to have slipped off engineers’" and the Nation’s "agenda," he said. The outcome of the year’s work was presented to the IPENZ Convention last week in Christchurch, at which noted American sustainable protagonist Hunter Lovins was the keynote speaker, and supported the IPENZ initiative.
"There are more options to meet New Zealand’s energy demand than Project Aqua provided," according to Gerry Coates, Immediate Past-President of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).
Mr Coates has led a team of engineers over the last year, looking at how sustainability could be more effectively implemented in New Zealand. "Sustainability seemed to have slipped off engineers’" and the Nation’s "agenda," he said. The outcome of the year’s work was presented to the IPENZ Convention last week in Christchurch, at which noted American sustainable protagonist Hunter Lovins was the keynote speaker, and supported the IPENZ initiative.
