‘Good time’ to cut emissions

Scientists say the fuel crisis caused by the Middle East conflict is an opportunity for the government to act to slash New Zealand’s emissions.

Data from the latest greenhouse gas inventory shows emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases fell 0.1 per cent between 2023 and 2024.

Once forests and other carbon sinks are considered, net emissions fell by two per cent from 56 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent gases to 55 million tonnes.

The two largest contributors were methane-emitting dairy cattle – mostly from burping and not farts – at 26 per cent of gross emissions, and transport on 18 per cent.

The largest increase came from energy production after low hydro lake levels in 2024’s winter meant more fossil fuels were burned to produce electricity.

However, that was partly offset by decreased emissions from manufacturing and construction because the energy shortage forced some companies to slow or halt production.

James Renwick, Victoria University climate scientist and former climate commissioner, says it’s good to see emissions come down, but “0.1 per cent is about one per cent of what we need”. He adds: “We need somewhere close to 10 per cent a year if we’re going to be living up to our Paris Agreement obligations.”

Renwick says now is a good time for the coalition to act with the fuel crisis sparking renewed interest from voters in low-carbon technology.

He describes the government’s interest in rooftop solar as good. “Let's put some money into it and get a roll-out of these panels on and boost up the charging network to get more EVs on the road.” Electric public transport across the motu should also be a priority.

Laura Revell, a climate scientist at the University of Canterbury, says recent months have underscored the need for change, reports RNZ. < https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment_climate/592615/fuel-crisis-chance-for-government-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-scientists > “This is the ideal moment to think about how we can get more New Zealanders into electric cars and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”