Energy

The New Zealand energy situation is not a healthy one. Maui gas has been wasted, very little has been done to encourage conservation, and our environment is still at risk from new coal generation and mega-transmission lines. Nuclear power is also not an option for this country.

Jeanette Fitzsimons has been at the forefront of campaigning for a sustainable energy future for this country for 30 years, living her message with an off-grid home. In her first term Jeanette introduced the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill to Parliament which was finally enacted in May 2000 – the first Green Party Bill to become law. The Greens also negotiated with the Government to add $3 million to the funding of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) so they could do more of the tasks that the Bill had spelt out.

In October 2005, as part of the co-operation agreement with the Labour-led Government, Jeanette was appointed the Government spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and is working with ECCA on an Energy Efficiency and Solar Initiative that will

significantly reduce the projected $500 million Kyoto deficit by 2008.
meet the government's NEECS target of 2% pa improved energy efficiency
improve living conditions with warmer, drier homes and solar hot water
slow the increase in the cost of oil imports.

Read our energy policy

What's New

Greens win support for sustainable biofuels on Green Day

01 Jul 2009

The Green Party is optimistic about the future of biofuels now that the Government has signalled support for the Green’s Sustainable Biofuel Bill being introduced tonight. "Without sustainability standards, National’s biodiesel subsidy has the same problem that Labour’s biofuel sales obligation initially had - no protection for the world’s hungry or for the environment,” Jeanette said.

Will smart meters fail consumers?

25 Jun 2009

There is great risk to consumers if the Government fails to take the lead in setting minimum performance standards for smart meters. Smart meters can give homeowners a choice of how and when they use electricity, saving them money and protecting the environment. But this can only happen if they have the right information at their fingertips and the right choice of tariffs as an incentive.

Consumers left behind in the smart meter rush

25 Jun 2009

The Green Party’s fear that consumers are missing out on the benefits of smart meters was confirmed today by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. There is a clear need for the Government to show leadership and protect the interests of consumers, Jeanette said.

Sustainable Biofuels and Forestry Bills go to the House

18 Jun 2009

Green Party Member’s Bills to give New Zealand better biofuels and encourage sustainable forestry will go before the House, after the pair were drawn from the Member’s ballot today.

Government Mistakenly Gives Biofuel Subsidy to Foreign Farmers

10 Jun 2009

National’s new biodiesel subsidy scheme risks doing more harm than good to the environment and to New Zealand business. Jeanette's Sustainable Biofuel Bill re-instates the legal framework for selling sustainable biofuels in New Zealand without violating WTO obligations.

Sustainable Biofuel Bill

Jeanette's Sustainable Biofuel Bill re-instates the legal framework for selling sustainable biofuels in New Zealand without violating WTO obligations. It does not distinguish between imported and locally produced biofuel, but requires both to meet the sustainability standard. The core provisions have already been through the Select Committee process and Parliament itself and remain unchanged in this Bill.

Green Party Launches Economic Initiative

15 May 2009

The Green Party begins a nationwide conversation on the economy today, presenting a billion-dollar stimulus package in 15 towns and cities and delivering its economic message to more than 300,000 New Zealand homes.

Questions for Oral Answer: $4.7 million savings through Govt3 sustainability initiatives

07 Apr 2009

Dr Russel Norman: Can the Minister confirm that according to answers to written questions, the State services saved $4.7 million last year through Govt3 sustainability initiatives; if so, is he concerned that these initiatives have been axed, and even mocked by the Prime Minister as being “hug a polar bear” initiatives, when they are actually saving taxpayers many millions of dollars?