Thursday, 27 September 2001

MEDIA RELEASE

New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development supports National Energy Efficiency Strategy

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development (NZBCSD), a coalition of 40 leading businesses united by a shared commitment to sustainable development, has today announced its support of New Zealand’s first National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.
“The New Zealand Government and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) should be proud of this Strategy which brings extensive and comprehensive responses to the principles of energy efficiency and conservation in New Zealand,” says NZBCSD Executive Director, Dr Roger Spiller.
“The Strategy promotes practical, realistic ideas to change behaviours and to make energy efficiency and renewable energy mainstream solutions.”
“Energy efficiency provides a double win – it is good for the economy (it saves money) and it is good for the environment (It conserves our valuable natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions)”
“Energy efficiency also represents an enormous business opportunity. Right now economies across the globe are struggling to efficiently match their electricity supply and demand. If New Zealand can be one of the first to get this right – it has got to be good for us! Dr Spiller says.
“NZBCSD member The Warehouse Group, winner of the ECCA Supreme Award for 2001, is a great example of energy efficiency in action. Warehouse Founding Director and NZBCSD Chairman Stephen Tindall and his Warehouse team have embraced energy efficiency and are an example of how energy efficiency has enhanced their
business’ success. They have almost halved the energy intensity of their shop floor space and are saving $2.5million per annum. ”
NZBCSD looks forward to a positive reaction amongst other key players to EECA’s National Energy Efficiency Strategy and believes that the Strategy’s implementation will lead to long-term economic and environmental benefits from energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy within the context of a sustainable energy future for New Zealand.
(ENDS)

For more information:
Dr Rodger Spiller, NZBCSD Executive Director, Ph: 09-529-0678
Jo Hume, NZBCSD Project Manager, Ph: 021-346-064
www.nzbcsd.org.nz