Up the Kilowahs! Checkout the EDB Scoreboard
Jack Tame interviews outgoing Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr on Q+A and electrification tops his list of things New Zealand could do to reduce emissions affordably.
“Acceleration of decarbonisation through electrification.”
That's what outgoing Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr believes would make the biggest difference in terms of New Zealand's emissions and is something the country could afford to do. And Rewiring Aotearoa concurs.
It's the right thing for the environment and, as we outlined in our Investing in Tomorrow paper, it's the right thing for the economy, with potential savings of $11 billion a year by 2040. The argument that solving climate change is too expensive really doesn't stack up anymore.
Watch the full interview to see what he thinks of this Government's approach and his take on the soon-to-be released Second Emissions Reduction Plan.
As gas supplies decline and prices rise, electrification is the best bet, but it's hard for big businesses without government support. Kirsty Johnston talks to Rainbow Nurseries about how it made the switch with help from a grant, and others who are unsure they will be able to keep getting gas. As one busines owner said: "We never considered the risk to the business of not actually having natural gas," one participant said. "We always expect that the price could fluctuate… But we never anticipated maybe having no gas coming from the pipeline." There are ways for the Government to help. And there is a huge amount of new renewable electricity coming on stream, so there won't be a shortage of electrons.
Read moreDownloadMarc Daalder reports on Vector's declining gas network and how it is responding to falling customer numbers. As he writes: "Gas in Auckland is formally past its peak in the latest forecasts from Vector, the city’s only gas distribution business, with new connections set to fall to zero in three years ... From 2029, there would be no new residential or commercial connections – with new industrial connections projected to have already ceased this year."
Read moreDownload'I'm a bogan and I have no problem with the bastardisation of motor vehicles. You can stick whatever motor you like into whatever else you like.' Antz Davies, you are a true boganic Bright Spark and we salute you because it's the bogans that we need to be convincing! Davies is the main brain behind Watt Rods, a Lower Hutt company that converts old cars to electric. "Any and all vehicles, old or new, four wheels or two, big or small, on road or off, fully customised to your requirements."
Read moreDownload