ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Govt plan to reduce emissions 'expensive and ineffective'

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 25 Jun 2019, 10:03AM
Matt Burgess says anyone who supports climate change action would want this policy dropped. (Photo / SXC)

Govt plan to reduce emissions 'expensive and ineffective'

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 25 Jun 2019, 10:03AM

Putting up the price of electricity will have flow on effects on reducing emissions in other parts of the economy.

The Herald has obtained a copy of the draft Independent Climate Change Committee's report into how the Government can reach its 100 per cent renewable energy target.

It says the average households' power bill could rise by $300.

New Zealand Initiative research fellow Matt Burgess told Mike Hosking that this policy is expensive and ineffective. 

"By putting up the price of electricity, you make it harder to reduce emissions elsewhere in the economy. There's far greater opportunity to cut emissions from transport or from industrial heating processes by switching them onto electricity."

He says renewable energy levels are likely to increase to around 93 to 95 per cent over the next 10 years without any change in policy.

"You have to build a lot of renewables to cover that last five percent much, more more if you are using proper fuel. That last five per cent, you have to meet it through overbuild."

Burgess says that we should only pursue 100 per cent renewables as long as it is cost effective.

"What I hope is that folks who are concerned about climate change can recognise when a policy is bad." 

 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you