$67.4m budget for carbon neutral public sector

Budget 2021 delivers $67.4 million over four years to support the transition to a carbon neutral public sector by 2025.

“A carbon neutral public sector is a key part of this government’s plan to address the climate emergency. Budget 2021 sets us firmly on the path to achieving that goal,” Climate Change minister James Shaw says ahead of the May 20 budget announcement.

The budget boost will also accelerate the government’s ‘electric vehicles first’ policy with $41.8m for the leasing of low emissions vehicles across the public sector, estimated to save a further 32,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over 10 years.

The State Sector Decarbonisation Fund receives a $19.5m boost to support more schools, hospitals and other government organisations to replace coal boilers with clean alternatives.

The moves to implement the Carbon Neutral Government Programme are expected to save an additional 76,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over 10 years and come on the back of transport emission reduction proposals put out for public consultation by June 25.

“We are also providing $41.8 million for the leasing of low-emissions vehicles across the public sector, which will save a further 32,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over ten years.

New Zealand’s COVID-19 management not only means the economy is in better shape than expected, “but that we’re in a position where we can think ahead to the type of public sector we want for future generations” which includes where social workers and midwives can visit people in EVs and where people can access essential local services in clean, energy-efficient buildings, Shaw adds.

“Over the last three Budgets we have made significant investments in Aotearoa New Zealand’s low-carbon future, including climate-friendly transport options, like public transport and major cycling projects,” he says.

“We are now leading by example and committing support from Budget 2021 to measure and report emissions across government, upgrade public organisations to cleaner sources of energy, cut emissions from transport, and improve the efficiency of government buildings.”

The State Sector Decarbonisation Fund has committed funding for 422 EVs and charging infrastructure; and clean energy upgrades at 36 schools, seven universities and 10 hospitals.