17 DECEMBER 2015
New Zealand’s Energy Productivity Lagging Behind Global Competitors
New Zealand businesses needs to take strong action to lift energy productivity performance or risk falling far behind
competitor countries, say energy management experts.
Ewan Gebbie, Executive Office of the Energy Management Association of New Zealand (EMANZ), said while most major
economies are considering or have implemented energy productivity targets, New Zealand’s performance has been tailing
off since 2007.
EMANZ will be focusing strongly on the issue in its 2016 flagship energy conference: Energy Productivity and Partnerships – The Next Energy (R)evolution.
“New Zealand’s performance does not compare well to a number of other OECD countries,” said Mr Gebbie. “For instance
Australia has set a national target of lifting energy productivity by 40 per cent by 2030 and the US of doubling it in
the same timeframe.
“Most major economies have recognised the importance of focussing policy efforts on improving energy productivity and
set national targets. Germany has a policy of improving 2.1 per cent per annum on average by 2020 and Sweden has
significantly lifted its performance since 2010.
“New Zealand’s current rate of energy productivity improvement, of 1.18 per cent per annum, is lower than many of our
competitors , and our competitors are implementing policies that will increase the gap. “
The EMANZ conference, to be held in Auckland in May, will bring a strong New Zealand focus to the energy challenges
facing the world in the context of energy use and global warming.
“With the Climate Change Accord now signed, the focus needs to shift to how countries will deliver on agreed targets”,
said Mr Gebbie.
“New Zealand cannot afford to continue to drag its feet over this. We will be looking specifically at the challenges
related to driving increased energy productivity and the opportunities this presents for local businesses.
“We will be showcasing advanced industries that are already partnering locally and globally with huge success. There are
Kiwi businesses and industries that are leading the world in driving energy productivity and are willing to share their
know-how to enable other New Zealand businesses to turn international energy challenges into a real competitive
advantage.”
At the conference, policymakers and practitioners will share their experience on what has and hasn’t worked in the
service and partnership space within energy management and other industries. International keynote speakers will add a
global perspective as delegates learn about the different ways Energy Productivity and Partnerships will contribute to
the Next Energy Revolution and impact on businesses and the wider New Zealand economy.
“The conference will enable attendees to understand energy productivity at a macro and micro level with over 30
international and local speakers sharing their views, research, case studies, and experience from throughout the
productivity and energy sector,” said Mr Gebbie.
“The Paris Climate Accord has brought the importance of energy productivity into clear focus and, with the exciting
opportunities this presents, we are expecting this to be a well attended conference that generates some fascinating
discussion and exciting opportunities.”
ENDS