Inputs to New Zealand Energy Strategy
27. Energy Scenarios: The Energy Outlook is currently under development by MED officials and due to be published in July 2006. Energy Outlook to 2030 is intended to lay the groundwork for the New Zealand Energy Strategy scenario analysis. The Outlook predicts that on a business as usual basis (i.e. in the absence of additional policy) by 2030 New Zealand will have increased CO2 emissions, a reduced proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources and increased fossil fuel costs.
28. In addition, a number of stakeholders have published energy scenarios/futures and strategy thinking that can also provide a valuable input to the development of the NZES. For example reports published by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development, Solid Energy/NZIER, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and IPENZ, among others.
29. IEA Energy Policy Review: The International Energy Agency (IEA) has conducted its five-yearly "In-Depth Country Review" of New Zealand's energy sector. Specific energy related topics include the environment, energy efficiency, fossil fuels, renewables, electricity, and energy technology research and development.
30. Information in the IEA Review will provide a useful input for the NZES, although it should be noted that the IEA view of New Zealand's and the world's situation is only one viewpoint.
31. New Zealand Transport Strategy: The transport sector is an important element in energy demand. The New Zealand Transport Strategy sets out the government's vision for transport and approach taken in making policy decisions about transport. Supporting documents for the strategy, include the National Rail Strategy to 2015, the Transport Sector Strategic Directions Document 2006/07, and the Walking and Cycling Strategies. A number of work streams are also already underway which support and underpin the proposed objectives of the New Zealand Energy Strategy, which include the updating and improvement of the MoT Vehicle Fleet Emissions Model, the Auckland Road Pricing Study and those currently within the climate change policy development programme.
32. Sustainable Development Programme of Action on Energy: The New Zealand Energy Strategy will address specific work streams initiated by Cabinet in July 2005 (CBC Min (05) 8/9) as follows:
- Para 13: What steps, if any, could be taken to raise awareness of sustainable energy issues;
- Para 14: What is needed to improve the availability and quality of information to support sustainable energy policies;
- Para 16: How could government procurement decisions contribute to sustainable development objectives; and
- Para 18: Should the government produce a further public document on sustainable energy policy and, if so, what might the nature of that document be.
33. These work streams clearly intersect with topics to be covered in the proposed scope of the strategy outlined in Appendix 1. I propose that the separate reports from CBC Min (05) 8/9 paras 13-14, 16, and 18 are rescinded given that the New Zealand Energy Strategy will likely supersede them.
Back to Top