In brief

Government considers emissions trading

The Government has announced it will make decisions on New Zealand’s move towards a greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme this year, as part of the broader climate change policy package currently being developed.

A cap-and-trade emissions trading scheme is a market-based means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Participants would be required to have emission units (sometimes referred to as allowances or permits) to cover their emissions. These emission units could be allocated or purchased and could be traded with others. Participants could reduce emissions themselves or buy units from another party who could make reductions more cheaply.

Climate Change Minister David Parker said the Government is looking for a design that, once fully operational, will be economy-wide and include all sectors and all greenhouse gases.

Energy efficiency awards

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is now accepting entries for its 2007 EnergyWise Awards. These awards are open to all New Zealand organisations and individuals. Entries close on 31 July. Visit www.eeca.govt.nz to find out more.

Visit www.smarterhomes.org.nz

Visit www.smarterhomes.org.nz to find out how you can make your home warmer, drier, healthier and more comfortable, more affordable and kinder to the environment. The website includes information on energy efficiency, water efficiency, selecting appliances and design tips to smarten up your home.

Panel’s reports are the most comprehensive and authoritative source of information on climate change with contributions from more than 800 authors reviewed by more than 2500 scientists.

Keep New Zealand beautiful

Keep New Zealand beautiful and participate in Clean Up Week from 8 – 16 September. You can help by picking up rubbish in parks, beaches, sports fields, city streets or schools. You could clean out a local stream or estuary, or scrub off some graffiti – there’ll be some on a wall near you. A $100,000 grant from the Ministry’s Sustainable Management Fund will help make Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s clean up this year a big success. Phone (04) 904 4026 for a registration form or visit www.knzb.org.nz.

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