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Environment New Zealand 2007 questions and answers: Key findings - Energy

Environment New Zealand 2007 publications

What does energy have to do with our environment?

All forms of energy have an impact on the environment. Our growing consumption of non-renewable energy contributes to increased greenhouse gas and particulate emissions, which have negative impact on the environment and human health.

What are the trends in energy according to the report?

In a nutshell

As our population and economy have grown, New Zealand’s energy supply has grown to meet increased consumer demand.

Over recent years, there has been a slight increase in the proportion of our energy supply which comes from fossil fuels.
Two-thirds of our electricity generation is from renewable sources, although this proportion varies each year depending on hydro-lake levels.
New Zealand’s use of renewable sources for electricity generation is high by international standards.

Facts and figures

Between 1995 and 2005, total primary energy supply increased by 10 per cent from 675 petajoules to 740 petajoules.
Total consumer energy demand increased by 21 per cent from 407 petajoules to 494 petajoules.
In 2005, non renewable resources supplied 525 petajoules or 72 per cent of our energy supply. This has increased from 1995 when non renewable resources supplied 450 petajoules or 67 per cent of New Zealand’s energy supply.
From 1990 to 2005, New Zealand’s economic growth has exceeded energy demand. Economic growth has increased by 56 per cent while energy demand has only increased by 37 per cent. This indicates that the economy has reduced its reliance on energy (to some degree).
Transport and industry remain the top two energy users of energy by sector, respectively using 43 per cent and 30 per cent of consumer energy.
The commercial sector showed the largest growth in consumption with an increase in demand of 32 per cent from 1995 to 2005.
Overall, if household transport is included, households are now the largest users of energy in the country.
In 2005, renewable sources provided for about 100 petajoules or 66 per cent of our electricity generation. Hydro-electricity accounted for about 85 petajoules or 56 per cent of total electricity generation.

What is the government doing to minimise the impacts of energy generation and demand on the environment?

A number of initiatives related to the Energy chapter are underway and under development. These include a number of initiatives already listed above under the Transport and Household Consumption sections, as well as:

The 2007 New Zealand Energy Strategy to 2050
The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy
The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) will introduce a price for greenhouse gas emissions for energy.
National environmental standards for electricity transmission (under development)
Research and development, both overseas and in New Zealand on marine energy are underway devising technologies to extract energy from waves and tides. EECA administers the marine energy deployment fund to bring forward the development of marine energy in New Zealand.
EECA business programme to develop more energy efficient and competitive businesses including joint ventures to develop energy best practice with industry groups, and workplace education
Energy Star Rating Labels for appliances
The EnergyWise Home Grants programme to provide grants and advice for warmer, healthier and more energy efficient homes including grants to landlords for upgrading rental properties.
Home Energy Rating Scheme (under development)
The Solar water heating programme, to encourage the uptake of solar water heating
The Fuel$aver website, launched in 2006, to encourage the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles
Building Code review
2004 Amendment of the RMA to ensure renewable energy is taken into account in decision-making under the RMA
Proposed national policy statement on electricity transmission to recognise the national significance of the electricity transmission network, and set out objectives and policies for managing the national grid under the RMA
Proposed national policy statement on renewable energy.

How can New Zealanders reduce the pressures of energy generation and consumption on the environment?

Visit www.sustainability.govt.nz to find out how you can reduce the impact of your energy consumption on the environment.
You can also visit the websites listed under the questions above.