National to review another environmental law

It is reported today that the current government intends to review the national air standards set by Labour in 2005, to make them more "practical and achievable".

Another environmental standard to go out the window? Along with the ban on incandescent bulbs (since vindicated by a recent Consumer magazine test) and the delays to the Emissions Trading Scheme.

My personal understanding of standards is something that should be worked towards and achieved, not lowered until everyone passes.

"National environmental standards are mandatory technical environmental regulations. They have the force of regulation and are implemented by agencies and parties with responsibilities under the RMA". [Ministry for the Environment, Updated Users Guide to Resource Management Regulations, 2005]

It sets activity standards (banning activities that produce high levels of dioxins and other toxics, ambient air quality standards and design standards to wood burners and landfill gas burning.

WWF Release Living Planet Report

WWF has just released its periodic living planet report, the report "describes the changing state of global biodiversity and the pressure on the biosphere arising from human consumption of natural resources" (panda.org). The report has some interesting conclusions, it notes that the world's ecological footprint now exceeds the world biocapacity by around 30%.

But the report has even more damming information for New Zealand, we rank 6th in 'ecological footprint per person'. The numbers from 2005 show that the average New Zealander needs around 7.7Ha of land to sustain our current standard of living (compare this to the average biocapacity the earth can supply of 2.1Ha per person). To put it in perspective, if the whole world consumed the same way that New Zealanders do, we would require over three and half planet earths worth of land and resources.

Although it should be noted that New Zealand is an overall 'ecological creditor', this means that our local biocapacity exceeds our ecological footprint.

Will this report have any effect on our tourism industry? Given our international slogan of being '100% Pure'.

Environment v Economic Recession

Will the current economic recession in New Zealand hinder current environmental progress from Government?

As New Zealand companies begin to feel the pinch on top of recently passed legislation (ETS, Biofuel Act) with regards to emissions, will Government back down on some of the principles in the legislation? - This was seen when the date of inclusion of the transport sector (under an ETS) was pushed back due to increasing petrol prices during the first half of the year.

Recent polls in Australia (NZ Herald) suggest that many are pulling support for an ETS, with 21% now in complete opposition of such a scheme and 30% suggesting delaying the introduction due to the global economic downturn.

Cabinet rejects inquiry into power prices

The government has rejected holding another inquiry into power prices, stating that "we don't accept the case for at all" (Helen Clark).

Earlier in the week Lianne Dalziel (Commerce Minister) and David Parker (Energy Minister) announced they would raise the issue at cabinet and seek a wide inquiry into the electricity market. Stating that they did not seem to make sense and they could not see how the increases could be justified

This coming after Contact announced an increase in power prices of around 10% for Wellington and South Island customers - blaming transmission costs and the widening gap between supply and demand in the South Island for pushing up the prices.

New Biofuel Act comes into action

Well, October 1st has passed and the Biofuel Act has now come into force. Although effects of the Act will not begin to be seen immediately, with a 15 month 'phase in' period for industry to adjust to the new regulations.

The Biofuel Act requires 0.5% of total sales (by energy content) must be biofuel for the remainder of this year, increasing by 0.5% every year until a cap at 2.5% which will occur in 2012.

The Act was slammed by the Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright during the select committee phase earlier this year. This was because the Act did not go far enough in setting standards for the biofuel that was added to the petrol at the pump. Amendments were made including adding 'sustainability principles' for the biofuel, but criticism remains whether adding a biofuel obligation is the best way to combat emissions.

The global debate is ongoing on whether biofuels are overall more harmful to the environment, through the creation of the large scale biofuel crops. Biofuels have also been blamed for pushing up world food prices, causing the shortages that have lead to riots and protests across the globe in late 2007 and early 2008.

International Car Free Day

Monday 22nd September is international car free day, so ride a bike or walk to work.

Leafs (with the information written on) have been distributed about Dunedin, informing car owners parked around town/campus of the event.

Take part, help reduce peak traffic congestion and emissions across the world! (even if just for a day).

Mitsubishi to test Electric Car in NZ

"New Zealand will be one of the first countries in the world to host the highly anticipated Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle (i MiEV) early next year."

Mitsubishi have teamed up with Meridian Energy to assist creation of infrastructure, supply for the vehicles and optimization for NZ conditions. Local and National government representatives will be invited to trial the cars.

The MiEV is said to be the next generation of transport, running on lithium-ion batteries and therefore producing no emissions. "A real alternative to the petroleum dependent internal combustion engine." - John Leighton (Managing Director Mitsubishi Motors NZ).

This is a good start for New Zealand, hopefully spurring the development of large scale infrastructure development. Hopefully electric cars will become a viable option for the average joe in a few years.