Sustainable Development Programme of Action
The government's Sustainable Development Programme of Action, released in January 2003, identified "energy" as one of four key areas which will make a significant contribution to New Zealand's sustainable development, along with water, sustainable cities and child and youth development.
A Sustainable Energy Steering Group was formed to progress this work, led by the Ministry of Economic Development and involving the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, the Ministry for the Environment's Climate Change Office, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Treasury.
In October 2004, the Minister of Energy released the document Sustainable Energy: Creating a Sustainable Energy System for New Zealand, which established a framework for energy policy moving forward i.e. an energy system that is reliable and resilient, environmentally responsible and fairly and efficiently priced. The document identified the two key challenges the New Zealand energy system will face in the long term as global climate change and the coming peak in global oil production.
A series of Workshops on sustainable energy took place in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in February–March 2005. The workshops drew on the themes and issues outlined in the discussion paper. The workshops were designed to develop a conversation with key stakeholders about the energy challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand and some possible next steps towards a more sustainable energy system.
Based on the feedback from these workshops, officials reported back to Cabinet in July 2005. This report identifies ongoing work programmes in individual policy areas, and the work already underway to strengthen them, and it proposed further investigation in some cross-cutting areas, such as the contribution of research, science and technology to sustainable energy.
Since the decisions by Cabinet in July there have been changes to the timing of further work recommended in the Sustainable Energy Cabinet paper. In the Speech from the Throne on 8 November 2005, it was announced that the government would explore various energy scenarios to develop a New Zealand Energy Strategy. The sustainable energy work is therefore likely to inform and be amalgamated into this Strategy.
Sustainable Energy: Creating a Sustainable Energy System for New Zealand - Discussion Paper
[ Published 27 October 2004 ]
This document explains the government's strategic direction in energy policy; explains how energy-related policies work in that strategic direction; and identifies possible future directions for policy.
Sustainable Energy: Creating a Sustainable Energy System for New Zealand - Discussion Paper: Summary
[ Published 27 October 2004 ]
Summary of the Sustainable Energy discussion paper.
Questions and Answers
[ Published 27 October 2004 ]
Questions and answers about the government's Sustainable Energy programme.
Release of Sustainable Energy Document - Minister of Energy Media Statement
[ Published 27 October 2004 ]
A comprehensive discussion document is released today on the future of sustainable energy in New Zealand.
Cabinet Documents
Cabinet documents as a result of the Sustainable Energy discussion paper.
Workshops
A series of workshops on sustainable energy took place in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in February–March 2005. The government is drawing on these discussions as it develops policies to take New Zealand further towards a sustainable energy system.
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