Public Service Takes Lead In Becoming Carbon Neutral

In a world-leading move, the 39 core public service departments will begin immediate work to achieve carbon neutrality as part of the Labour-led government's push towards sustainability, State Services Minister Annette King and Climate Change Minister David Parker announced today.

All core public service departments will start reducing emissions immediately and a lead group of six agencies - the Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economic Development, Inland Revenue, Department of Conservation and the Treasury - will have carbon neutral plans in place by early 2008.

David Parker said core government departments would achieve carbon neutrality by taking practical action without compromising the quality of service provision for the public.

"Achieving carbon neutrality from 2012 in the whole of the core public service will demonstrate nationally and internationally New Zealand's commitment to pulling its weight on climate change and creating a sustainable nation," David Parker said.

A number of central government agencies are already leading the way, cutting emissions by focusing energy efficiency measures, transport and fuel economy and waste minimisation. Examples include:

* The Ministry for the Environment uses 60 per cent less energy in its buildings compared to similar buildings in Wellington, delivering savings of around $140,000 per year in energy costs.

* ACC, IRD and MSD have all invested in vehicles with greater fuel efficiency. More than 93 per cent of their combined fleet are less than 2000cc.

Annette King said agencies would take a phased approach in reaching the carbon neutral goal, but it would be mandatory for all 39 central government agencies to be on a path to carbon neutrality by 2012.

"Agencies will be expected to reduce their emissions as far as possible before offsetting the residual emissions to minimise the environmental impact of government business and the reliance on offsetting projects," Annette King said.

"Because it will not be possible to reduce emissions to zero in a practical and cost effective manner, remaining emissions will be offset to achieve carbon neutrality, with New Zealand-based forestry related activities being one way to achieve this."

Full details will be announced later in the year, and in Budget 2007.

ENDS

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