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- Title
Energy Efficiency in New Zealand's Light Transport Fleet: Is it Time for a CO<sub>2</sub>/Fuel Efficiency Standard?
- Authors
Jones, Kristen
- Abstract
Empirical evidence shows that other OECD countries are pulling ahead of New Zealand, reaching higher levels of energy efficiency and lower levels of CO2 emissions from their light transport fleets (private passenger cars). A key reason for this lag is the lack of specific energy efficiency regulations or standards in New Zealand. The main submission made is that the time is ripe for a substantial overview of New Zealand's light transport fleet as it produces the greatest amount of CO2 emissions in the transport sector. New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions profile is different from that of many other developed countries because it is primarily an agricultural producing economy with high methane gas emissions. It already has high levels of renewable energy in its electricity sector, which leaves transport as one of the best remaining areas from which to extract energy efficiency to reduce New Zealand's CO2 emissions. This article identifies the clear and widening gap in energy efficiency in New Zealand's transport sector. It then examines the international and national environment to determine whether the legal framework is in place to introduce energy efficiency regulations/ standards in line with other OECD countries. The conclusion is that the existing legal structure is sufficient for regulations/standards to be made. With New Zealand's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (New Zealand's primary policy document on energy efficiency and conservation matters) to be reviewed in mid-2016 and remaining in place until 2021, there is now an opportunity to set new policy and targets to achieve greater energy efficiency and CO2 reductions from New Zealand's light transport fleet.
- Subjects
NEW Zealand; ENERGY consumption; GREENHOUSE gas mitigation laws; COMMUTER aircraft; ENERGY conservation laws; ENVIRONMENTAL law
- Publication
New Zealand Journal of Environmental Law, 2015, Vol 19, p139
- ISSN
1174-1538
- Publication type
Article