Ecofriendly car import legislation coming
WELLINGTON: The Government has highlighted its plans to move on its election promises to clean up transport emissions.
It has announced the first tranche of measures it said would help New Zealand’s 2050 carbon neutral target.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that with transport making up the country’s secondhighest amount of emissions after agriculture it was ‘‘important we reduce emissions from our vehicle fleet’’.
Transport Minister Michael Wood said the Government had agreed in principle to mandate a loweremitting biofuel blend across the transport sector.
‘‘Over time this will prevent hundreds of thousands of tonnes of emissions from cars, trucks, trains, ships and planes.
‘‘There are economic opportunities for New Zealand in strengthening our clean green brand, encouraging innovation and creating jobs.
‘‘It will also help our economic recovery.
‘‘A biofuel mandate has the potential to create jobs and boost the economy through encouraging a local industry,’’ he said.
Following public consultation, the Government is expected to make a decision on the matter before the end of the year.
The Government also outlined its plan to only buy zeroemissions public transport buses from 2025, and a $50 million commitment to help councils fully decarbonise the public transport bus fleet by 2035.
Legislation will also be passed this year to introduce a clean car import standard.
‘‘The standard will begin next year, with the 105g of CO2/km 2025 target being phased in through annual targets that get progressively lower to give importers time to adjust,’’ Mr Wood said.
‘‘The import standard will prevent up to 3 million tonnes of emissions by 2040, mean more climatefriendly cars are available, and will give families average lifetime fuel savings of nearly $7000 per vehicle.’’
Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the measures were a ‘‘good first step’’, but there would need to be ‘‘many more steps taken after this one’’.
‘‘The window of opportunity we have to address the climate crisis is closing fast.
‘‘Reducing emissions from transport will need to be a priority if we are to meet our targets and make sure New Zealand plays its part in keeping the climate stable.’’
Ms Ardern said the Government would finalise its first three carbon budgets later this year, following advice and recommendations from the independent Climate Change Commission.
Act New Zealand climate change spokesman Simon Court accused the Government of opting for ‘‘populism over sensible climate policy’’.
He said meddling in the transport sector would not reduce emissions, as it was already covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme.
‘‘Our emissions won’t be curbed by these new policies — they’ll simply change where emissions come from.
‘‘If a fuel company doesn’t purchase ETS credits, they’ll be available for another emitter to use instead.
‘‘It will, however, mean that, for tradies and large families who don’t have the option to buy an expensive new EV, vehicles cost more,’’ he said.
Mr Court said the clean car standard was likely to have a perverse lockin effect, encouraging people holding on to older, dirtier vehicles for longer. — RNZ