Background
11. Energy is one of four cross-cutting work streams under the sustainable development programme of action. The overall aim of the programme is to apply sustainable development principles to government decision-making such as the need to take a long-term view.
12. In October 2004, POL authorised the Minister of Energy to release Sustainable Energy as the basis of engagement with stakeholders over the following six months. The Minister was invited to report back on the outcome of the engagement, with any recommendations on further action, if appropriate. The document is not a plan or strategy for energy going forward. Rather, its purpose is to:
- identify the energy challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand (the two key underlying drivers being climate change and the coming of peak oil);
- focus discussion on the provision of energy services and demand for energy, in addition to supply issues;
- explain the government's strategic direction in energy policy;
- explain how existing energy and energy-related policies work in that strategic direction; and
- identify possible future directions for policy development.
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