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Rather than relying on unproven technologies like carbon capture or unreliable offsets in the form of overseas trees, upgrading our small fossil fuel machines to electric equivalents and running them off renewable electricity is one of the best ways to reach our climate targets. We've been saying it for a while and the Climate Change Commission agrees, with an RNZ story saying "there are big opportunities in renewable energy and clean farming that could cut household bills, help businesses - and get the country back on track".
The Climate Change Commission released its update on how the country is tracking and, while emissions are trending down, there is a risk we will not meet our 2050 target. Jo Hendy, the commission's chief executive, said: "If we do this right we have a lot of opportunity for lowering energy costs to households, for example solar and wind are the lowest cost source of electricity right now, we have the opportunity to create new jobs in new clean industries and really protect our local businesses access to market."
Around 25% of New Zealand's gross emissions come from small fossil fuel machines. These are, as Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey says, the low-hanging cherries of emissions reduction and he has proven on Forest Lodge Orchard that going electric is not only good for the environment, it's also good business. More farmers are recognising that energy is one area they can reduce costs without compromising on anything.
There’s plenty of energy emanating from the ground at Te Puia in Rotorua. And there’s plenty of creative energy emanating from those studying at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Now there’s also plenty of electric energy, because the business has upgraded its fossil fuel vehicles and added a big solar system so they can run on the sun.
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