28 April 2000
Halve size of ministerial cars for Earth Day
To mark Earth Day (Saturday 29) the Green Party is urging the government to at least halve the engine size of all
ministerial cars and to speed their conversion from petrol to CNG or LPG.
Green Party co-leader Rod Donald said Prime Minister Helen Clark should lead from the front by reducing greenhouse
emissions and energy consumption. He also suggested the government invest in some ministerial bicycles which would save
the taxpayer a fortune and could result in healthier, happier and better performing ministers.
Mr Donald said climate change and rising sea levels were serious threats and it was up to governments everywhere to set
an examples to the community and the business sector.
"The government currently has a number of chauffeur driven and self-drive cars which are powered by four litre, six
cylinder, petrol engines," said Mr Donald. "These huge cars were status symbols for the previous National Government and
I urge this government to take a greener approach by replacing these cars with four cylinder vehicles up to 2.0 litres,
running on CNG or LPG.
"There is no need whatsoever for the engine size of vehicles currently used by the government, especially when they are
used mostly around town. At a time when it is critical that we reduce our greenhouse emissions, these cars and their
fuel consumption and emissions are quite simply excessive," he said.
Mr Donald said ministers could still travel safely and in comfort in cars with much smaller engines and that doing so
would be a commonsense and easy way of demonstrating government commitment to energy efficiency and global
sustainability.
"The Greens share the government's vision for the State Sector to have cars running on cleaner fuels and support their
immediate introduction," he said. "LPG or CNG are much better for the environment than petrol and diesel and it is also
locally sourced which means we do not have to import it."
A report issued on Thursday from the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) shows transport has become the
largest and fastest growing consumer of energy in New Zealand. New Zealand's consumption of oil products is growing
rapidly at 3.5 per cent per year.
"It would be a great symbol for Earth Day if the government agreed to show genuine leadership on the inter-related
issues of transport, energy efficiency and climate change," said Mr Donald.
Ends
Jonathan Hill (press secretary): 04 470 6719, 021 110 1133