7. JEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader—Green) Link to this
to the Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues
How will the Government - Green Party solar water heating programme contribute to meeting New Zealand’s obligations under the Kyoto Protocol?
Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues) Link to this
I am advised that each solar water heating system installed on a house will prevent about 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year or about 30 tonnes over its 20-year life; thus, the 20,000 new systems expected to be installed will save about 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year or close to 600,000 tonnes over their lives.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that those 20,000 new solar water heaters are the equivalent in carbon savings to taking 7,000 vehicles off the road permanently?
Yes, I understand that to be the case. They are the equivalent of about 7,000 cars, which is a helpful contribution. On average, installing three new systems is equivalent in carbon dioxide savings to taking one car off the road permanently. I am also advised that we can expect that each residential household of four persons will save around $350 per year in energy costs.
Hon Marian HobbsWhat other recent initiatives besides today’s solar water heating will help New Zealand meet its Kyoto Protocol obligations?
The Permanent Forest Sink Initiative, which devolves Kyoto-complying carbon credits to forestry, is one such example. The Labour-led Government is the first Government in the world to do this. At the same time as creating incentives for Kyoto-friendly forest growth the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative provides business opportunities for landowners and also improves water quality.
Peter BrownHow many of the 20,000 solar water panels have been installed up till now, and when does he expect the 20,000 to be fully on stream?
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Is the Minister aware that hot water heat pump technology produces greater energy efficiency and climate change gains at less cost than solar water heating, and that the Queensland State Government has extended its programme to support this new technology in parallel with solar water heating; if he is aware, why is the Government supporting only a single technology when there are other technologies that can do the job better?
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that the innovation fund set up under the solar water heating programme is available to applications from both heat pump initiatives and solar water heating initiatives, and that the review in 3 years’ time, once heat pump technology has been subject to better performance testing, will look at whether other aspects of the programme can be open to that as well?
Yes, I can. Further, I am also aware that the Minister for Building Issues, Clayton Cosgrove, who is responsible for these efficiency standards in New Zealand, has already instructed his department to look at these issues of water heating efficiency and other technologies.
Does the Minister accept that 20,000 solar water panels over 5 years is really but a modest figure, and would he consider recommending to the Government that it increases the subsidy, which is very minor, so that there is an even greater uptake?
I think this is actually a very significant advance, and it is well designed. Jeanette Fitzsimons has been clear that one of the things that needs to happen here is the building of industry capacity so that we can deliver these units at lowest possible cost so as to reduce the need for subsidies.
R Doug WoolertonHow does the Minister plan to reconcile the inescapable reality that New Zealand is an exporter of primary products with the emissions caused by our farm animals?
I agree that New Zealand’s emissions profile is very different from that of most countries, and that that means we have to be very careful in future negotiations to try to have our special circumstances taken into account. That is why, in response to a question yesterday, I emphasised progress in the recent Kyoto negotiations in Nairobi, which made reference to the ability of different sectors to reduce emissions through mitigation technology.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
What is the Minister’s view of the legislation that pertains in Israel and Spain, where solar water heating is mandatory in all new homes, and does he see opportunities in New Zealand to require higher energy efficiency standards for water heating in new houses?
I have been advised that solar water heating is mandatory in countries such as Israel. Of course, that country probably has more sunshine hours than is the average for New Zealand, so the economics of that approach may be better over there than here. None the less, I am aware that, as I have just said, the Minister for Building Issues, Clayton Cosgrove, has his department looking into that very issue.