Uploaded on 2016-07-08 by Jason B. Santos

Module 7: Optional Exercise on Energy Consumption – The example of New Zealand The report on the given link which I chose is the case of New Zealand. This country sparked my interest because many of my friends are migrating to the country of New Zealand. Based on their website it is stated that – “New Zealanders believe life is for living. It’s about balancing a good day’s work with time for family and friends.” I. Can you give a short overview of the national circumstances of your country? (e.g. population, land use, climate, economics, energy consumption, industry, transport etc.) A. Population According to the 2006 census, the New Zealand population was 4.1 million and by September 2012 this was estimated to have grown to 4.4 million people. New Zealand’s population density is relatively low, with 16 people per square kilometer (16 pax./sq.k.). By the 2030’s, it is projected to slow to 0.6 % per year. The New Zealand population is projected to reach 5.4 m. in 2036 and 6 m. in 2061. In the 5 years to June 2013, the net number of migrants was tallied at 37,602. 13. B. Geography New Zealand is a long, narrow, mountainous country. It consists of two large islands, the North Island and the South Island, and a number of smaller islands. C. Climate The country’s climate has zones ranging from subtropical to subantarctic. The climate is heavily influenced by New Zealand’s location in a latitudinal zone with prevailing westerly winds and by the surrounding ocean. It is also influenced by mountain range that modifies the weather systems as they sweep eastward. This leads to more rainfall in the west and drier conditions in the east. D. Economy New Zealand has an export-dependent economy operating on free market principles The economy is largely based on the provision of services (roughly two-thirds of the total GDP) and the manufacturing and primary sectors. E. Forestry In 2011, the total area of forest land in New Zealand was estimated at 10.2 m. hectares. It is equivalent to 38 % of New Zealand’s land area. F. Energy New Zealand’s total primary energy supply was 845 petajoules in 2012; of this, renewable energy contributed 37 %, compared with around 30 % for most of the last 20 years. The remainder of the primary energy supply was dominated by oil (33 %) and gas (21 %). Since 1990 New Zealand’s GDP has grown at a far greater rate than the amount of energy used by consumers. The overall energy intensity of the economy improved, in real terms, at an average of 1.4 per cent per year between 1990 and 2012. In 2011, New Zealand’s energy sector (including transport) contributed 43 % of New Zealand’s total domestic greenhouse gas emissions. G. Emissions High levels of agricultural activity mean almost half of New Zealand’s emissions come from agriculture. This compares with an average of 12 % in other developed countries. H. Waste Solid waste in New Zealand is disposed of at landfills or recycled. In the year 2011, around 2.5 m. tons of waste was sent to municipal landfills in New Zealand. Twenty-two of these landfills (which collectively received almost two-thirds of the waste sent to landfill) had methane recovery systems in that same year. There is no incineration of municipal waste in New Zealand. The only permissible incineration is for small specific waste streams, including medical, quarantine and hazardous wastes. II. What are the main climate protection targets of your country in the report? Based on the report, New Zealand has the following key targets: A. A target under the Kyoto Protocol for Commitment Period One (2008-2012) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels on average over the five year commitment period, or take responsibility for any emissions over these levels. B. An unconditional responsibility target of a 5 per cent reduction in emissions below New Zealand’s 1990 greenhouse gas emissions levels by 2020, managed using the Kyoto Protocol’s second commitment period framework of rules. C. A conditional medium-term responsibility target of a 10 to 20 per cent reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2020. D. A long-term emission reduction target of a 50 per cent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050 (‘50 by 50’). III. How does your country want to reach these targets? The following are the priority areas stated in the New Zealand report: A. Diverse resource development, including investment in, and use of, both renewable energy resources and non-renewable energy resources (this includes a goal that 90 % of electricity generated will come from renewable resources by the year 2025). B. Environmental responsibility – reducing energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and best practice in environmental management for energy projects. C. Efficient use of energy. D. Secure and affordable energy. Specifically, the Conservation Strategy sets out objectives for six sectors: 1. Transport: a more energy-efficient transport system, with a greater diversity of fuels and alternative energy technologies. 2. Business: enhanced business growth and competitiveness resulting from energy intensity improvements. 3. Housing: warm, dry and energy-efficient homes with improved air quality to avoid ill-health and lost productivity. 4. Products: greater business and consumer uptake of energy-efficient products 5. Electricity system: an efficient, renewable electricity system supporting New Zealand’s global competitiveness. 6. Public sector: greater value for money from the public sector through increased energy efficiency. IV. What is your opinion about you country’s approach to the environmental issues? (e.g. are the targets feasible? Is the approach feasible? Would you approach the problem in a different way?) In my opinion the proposed efforts and targets of New Zealand in their approach to make a more sustainable and livable place is considerably feasible. It is based on the given lectures on the parameters of a sustainable and livable city wherein the citizens and environment interact and unify. I appreciate the strategies that are on a per sector basis. I feel that it is the reason why the proposed solutions are feasible. It all points out to energy conservation, low impact operation & development and sustainability.