Landmark climate plan heads NZ toward net zero

Te Whanganui-a-Tara - New Zealand has launched a drive to decarbonise industry and further accelerate preparations for a sustainable, more resilient future outlined in its just-released climate emergency response fund.

The plan is to invest in electricity infrastructure to support fuel-switching to cleaner more economical alternatives.

The governments will:

•            Back businesses, farms and factories to invest in high efficiency tech to unlock energy savings

•            Support the replacement of outdated fossil fuel boilers in commercial buildings

•            Develop landmark roadmaps for energy, hydrogen and offshore renewables

•            Protect New Zealanders from global energy price spikes in the long-term

•            Develop home-grown energy mix for greater affordability and security of supply

Emissions from energy and industry sectors make up 27 percent of Aotearoa’s total emissions.

New Zealand’s clean and green reputation is an international draw card, but many businesses still use fossil fuels. Ensuring businesses are run on and produce products made with renewables will be critical to maintain a leading business edge.

The government is investing about $650 million over four years. Climate change minister James Shaw says the transition to clean, green energy alternatives is a key part of the emissions reduction plan, also announced today, and fundamental to New Zealand’s journey to net zero.

New Zealand will start to:

 •         Roll out the clean car upgrade programme, supporting lower and middle income families transition to low-emission alternatives through a new scrap-and-replace trial

•          Help low-income households lease low emission vehicles

•          Supporting the rapid development of urban cycleway networks, walkable neighbourhoods, healthier school travel, and increased accessibility and reliability of public transport through our transport choices initiative

•          Accelerate the decarbonisation of the public transport bus fleet

Today’s package includes $350 million to support Kiwis make cleaner transport choices. With this investment we able to fund the rapid roll-out of at least 100km of safe urban cycleways to build more connected networks at pace; create significant safety improvements in around 25 pedestrian areas, and support safer, greener, and healthier travel to 75-100 schools.

This investment will help to make public transport easier to use through bus priority improvements in over 40 locations alongside improvements to shelter, access, and customer information at up to 500 stops and stations.