Annual energy greenhouse gas emissions data

Annual energy greenhouse gas emissions data released

Total annual greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector decreased seven percent in 2009 reported the Ministry of Economic Development today. The Ministry released the latest edition of the New Zealand Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions publication, which reports on direct greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector and industrial processes from 1990 to the end of 2009.

Key highlights of this year’s publication include:
• A seven percent decrease in total emissions from the energy sector.
• A 24 percent decrease in emissions from electricity generation. This is driven by the relatively higher lake levels in 2009 meaning decreased reliance on more emissions-intensive thermal electricity generation.
• Emissions from transport and electricity generation made up 44 percent and 19 percent of total energy sector emissions respectively in 2009.
• Total annual emissions from transport decreased two percent in 2009, largely as a result of the recession.
• Increases in geothermal electricity generation saw geothermal emissions increase 40 percent. Geothermal electricity generation accounts for 2 percent of total energy sector emissions.
• Total emissions from the industrial processes sector (including steel and cement production) were down one percent in 2009.
• At an international level, New Zealand is at the high end in terms of percentage change in energy sector emissions since 1990, but around the middle in terms of energy sector emissions per capita.

Background
Printed copies of the New Zealand Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions publication can be purchased for NZ$40.00 (plus GST and postage). Alternatively, the New Zealand Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions publication is available free of charge at www.med.govt.nz/energy/ghg.

Information on the full range of energy publications produced by the Ministry of Economic Development, along with the latest quarterly data, can be found at www.med.govt.nz/energy/publications.

ENDS

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