Press release from Molly Melhuish: Energy Analyst 30 August 2007

Wood burning has major climate change implications

"Wood is a very significant heating fuel for New Zealand, and we can not afford to ignore this any longer," said Mrs Molly Melhuish as she presented her submission to Otago Regional Council today.

"Government officials accept these calculations on the importance of wood as a fuel are correct but do not use them to improve the New Zealand position on sustainable energy. Calculations show that wood burning is a critical factor for inclusion in national climate change policy" said Mrs Melhuish.

Residential energy use accounts for 9% of NZ energy sector emissions Household space heating generates 50% of household CO2 emissions.

Mrs Melhuish stressed that Otago Regional Council must consider its climate change obligations as well as the welfare of its residents, industry and (especially) tourism. It is not forced to only consider local effects; energy strategy must be a part of the regional strategy.

"ORC should be promoting major wood burning opportunities at new tourist facilities, supporting them going for 100% carbon neutral heating (and even electricity generation). Plans should also support opportunities to grow firewood close to where it will be used, and to manufacture wood pellets in competition with overpriced pellets today" said Mrs Melhuish.

There are many resources to support ORC in its climate change obligations including the Communities for Climate Protection programme which aims to get all district and regional councils to monitor and reduce carbon emissions and working to implement the new NZ Energy Strategy, to be released later this month, which is likely to have improved recognition of bioenergy. The Prime Minister's household sustainability initiative will be generating more resources for ORC to sink into sustainable partnership projects, and I strongly support the ORC doing more to support this trend in New Zealand" concluded Mrs Melhuish.

ENDS

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