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Sustainability starts at home – Budget 2007
Budget 2007 placed sustainability firmly on the Government’s agenda, setting aside $800 million to be invested in wide-ranging programmes, including energy efficiency at home.
The Beckham family enjoy their
wood pellet burner – a clean
and effective heating option.
The Beckham home in Wainuiomata is a much cosier and more healthy spot to sit out the worst of a Wellington winter, thanks to insulation and retrofitting funded by the Ministry for the Environment.
“It made a big difference as soon as we had the retrofit. Our home warms up quicker now it is drier; it retains heat for longer. Also, we live in a less sunny part of the valley and we don’t notice that as much any more,” said Katrina Beckham.
The Beckhams had floor and ceiling insulation installed. Windowsills were taped and metal draft excluders fitted on the doors to keep out drafts. Their open fire was replaced with a wood pellet burner. Beckham has also found her daughter has needed fewer trips to the doctor. She says the pellet burner is cost effective to run and she has noticed less dust.
The Beckhams represent the kind of difference Budget 2007’s emphasis on sustainability will make to New Zealanders. As part of $72.4 million dedicated to energy efficiency measures, $14.2 million was set aside for 12,000 low income households to get retrofits under the Energy Wise Home Grants scheme.
“Sustainability improves our quality of life, economically, environmentally and socially. Better ways of living and working will help us to prosper while protecting the environment’s we cherish,” said Environment Minister, David Benson-Pope when he announced the Budget 2007 funding.
The Beckhams reflect his comments. They are more likely to avoid winter ills, and also save on their power bill. An overall reduced energy demand saves greenhouse gas emissions from power station machinery not having to run at peak.
The Government’s energy efficiency measures encourage people to install effective heating, insulation and solar water systems.
For example, an interest-free loan scheme will be established to help home-owners pay for energy efficiency and clean heating upgrades. And Budget 2007 funding has provided $15 million to the Home Energy Rating Scheme for trialling and implementing a new tool that will measure the energy efficiency of houses. People wanting to buy a home will be able to check energy ratings to help their choice.
“The main focus of the package is on energy efficiency, but it also tackles other environmental issues such as air quality,” said Climate Change Minister David Parker.
Raising householder’s awareness
The Budget has provided the Ministry for the Environment with $6 million to fund a household sustainability public awareness campaign.
“Most Kiwis want to reduce their impacts on the environment and there are a lot of easy steps they can take,” said Deputy Chief Executive Lindsay Gow.
“There are also several Government initiatives that will be useful for everyone to know about. The sustainable households campaign will help tie all this information together and show people what they can do.
“The point of this is to provide information about how best to heat and light our houses, what appliances are energy and water efficient, and how we can dispose of them,” said Gow.
Government funds sustainability drive
In addition to measures to make homes more energy efficient, $6.8 million will fund more research on energy efficient technologies, partnerships with industry to promote these technologies and develop new funding mechanisms, and provide support for businesses that supply or install energy efficient technologies.
Funding has also been set aside for:
- business partnerships for sustainability ($3 million)
- public space recycling network ($4.6 million)
- government procurement and enhanced eco-verification ($7.4 million)
- starting to make the public sector carbon neutral ($10.4 million).
Budget 2007 also made $650 million availableto enable rail infrastructure improvements in Auckland and Wellington, as well as nationally.
For more information contact Martyn Pinckard on (04) 439 7444 or email martyn.pinckard@mfe.govt.nz
