Fuel efficiency needed to reduce greenhouse gases: EDS

Introducing fuel efficiency standards is a key element of the Environmental Defence Society’s (EDS) submission on the draft New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS).

EDS director Professor Barry Barton is in favour of the government’s strategy to make 2% of the vehicle fleet electric by 2021.

However, he is concerned there is no focus on the rest of the fleet.

“Internal combustion engine vehicles will dominate for many years to come. For them, it’s crucially important that New Zealand introduces mandatory fuel efficiency standards.

“Most developed countries have such standards, and they benefit enormously from the resulting improvements in their vehicle fleets.”

The government announced a commitment to work on standards last year, but little progress has been made, he says.

Other parts of its submission propose introducing more energy efficiency across the board, concentrating on renewable energy sources and targeting industrial emissions to reduce greenhouse gases.

“Overall the draft is a good start but needs amendments, and it needs further elaboration on how the targets are going to achieved,” Barton says.