Office of the
PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Te Kaitiaki Taiao a Te Whare Paremata
Inefficient energy use means New Zealand helps warm the world
Wellington, 22 February 2000— “New Zealand’s families and businesses are missing out on the benefits of more efficient
energy use. Our homes and workplaces could be much easier to keep warm and our water heating bills could be less” said
the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Morgan Williams.
“Inefficient energy use has environmental consequences and affects our economic competitiveness. The amount of benefit
New Zealand gets from each unit of energy places us a lowly 17th out of 22 OECD countries” he said on the release of his
investigation report entitled Getting more from less, a review of progress on energy efficiency and renewable energy
initiatives in New Zealand.
Dr Williams said “the investigation highlights the many barriers to consumers and businesses investing in buildings,
equipment, appliances and vehicles that are more energy efficient. There is clear market failure in the uptake of
quality energy efficiency information. I am recommending that the Government revitalise the role of the Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Authority to address these barriers.”
“The Government should prepare a new energy efficiency strategy using a consultative process. Energy efficiency must
become a key part of the development of our economy and the management of the environment – it cannot be an
afterthought” the Commissioner said.
“Fossil fuels provide over 70 % of New Zealand’s total energy. The transport sector is responsible for over 40 % of New
Zealand’s energy use and it is increasing each year. The use of fossil fuels produces a range of negative environmental
effects including carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change. Current rates of growth in energy
consumption and small improvements in energy efficiency and new sources of renewable energy means that New Zealand does
not have a hope of meeting its climate change obligations.”
“A serious commitment to improving energy efficiency is a cost effective way to get environmental and economic gains.
This requires a new focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy by Government in partnership with businesses and
communities” said Dr Williams.
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For more information contact:
Dr Morgan Williams, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Ph (04) 471 1669