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Agriculture and horticulture are energy intensive industries, with considerable reliance on fossil fuels for such things as transport, irrigation and dairy sheds.   Linked to the Climate Change programme the focus on energy use is on efficient energy use.   There are clearly economic benefits to the rural sector if energy use can be reduced.   Given the signalled introduction of a carbon charge in 2007 there is a real incentive to adopt practices which will reduce energy usage.

New Zealand has a National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (2001), commonly known as NEECS, which is administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).   EECA is a Crown entity and is responsible for the encouragement, promotion and support of energy efficiency and conservation.   The Strategy sets out a targets and a range of priority areas, which include transport and industry.  

The Resource Management (Climate Change) Amendment Act (2003) sets out a framework for Councils to consider energy efficiency under the RMA.   There are several key drivers for wanting to improve the industries knowledge and adoption of energy efficiency strategies:

  • Improved bottom line performance
  • Protecting and enhancing NZ’s 'clean green image'
  • Market access issues, including the need to meet guidelines such as TESCO's Natures Choice and EUREP GAP
  • Significant changes have been made over the past 10 years.   Improvements such as reduced fertiliser and chemical applications need to be accounted for on the energy efficiency side.

From a central government perspective there is the opportunity to develop a continual improvement path towards meeting the county's Kyoto Treaty obligations

The benefits that accrue from energy efficiency are commercial, social and environmental and support the Government's energy efficiency and climate change programmes.

Risk Areas/Issues

Energy - General

Efficiency