Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

New Zealand to phase down use of HFCs from 2020

New Zealand to phase down use of HFCs from 2020

New Zealand will begin phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from 2020 as part of an international effort expected to avoid 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming.

Environment Minister David Parker and Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the Government would put in place a permitting system to set annual limits on imports of bulk HFCs, which are potent greenhouse gases mainly used in refrigeration and air conditioning.

“The annual limits will reduce gradually over a 17-year period beginning in 2020. It will allow New Zealand to phase down our use of HFCs by more than 80 per cent by 2037,” David Parker said.

James Shaw said the change is in line with our obligations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

“The Amendment is expected to avoid up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming by the end of the century. This is a significant contribution towards the Paris Agreement’s objectives to keep the global temperature rise ‘well below’ 2 degrees Celsius, and will provide ongoing ozone protection,” he said.

“Ratifying and implementing the Kigali Amendment supports New Zealand’s transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient future. It also demonstrates our commitment to global environmental and climate objectives, and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Kigali Amendment will enter into force 90 days after New Zealand ratifies it. Entry into force must occur at the beginning of a calendar year to align with the Montreal Protocol’s reporting requirements.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The permitting system is the last step in the process towards ratification of the Kigali Amendment.

“All the necessary domestic measures are completed and New Zealand will ratify the Kigali Amendment on 3 October 2019 so it enters into force on 1 January 2020,” David Parker said.

The global HFC phase-down means the air-conditioning and refrigeration industries will need to move to alternative refrigerants. Although common alternatives to HFCs are more environmentally-friendly, they can be flammable or toxic and require careful management.

“The Government wants to ensure that health and safety risks from alternative refrigerants are properly managed and that there is better enforcement of current rules. We will be working with industry to ensure they are used safely.

“Any necessary changes to regulations are expected to be in place before the Kigali Amendment enters into force,” David Parker said.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On National’s Fantasy Trip To La La Landlord Land


How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is:
(A) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was touting to voters last year has now blown out to $2.9 billion. (That’s a 38% size error in the calculations.)
(B) unable to provide assurance that this handout won’t simply be pocketed by landlords
(C) unable to explain why Treasury (in research as recent as August 2023) wasn’t citing the loss of interest deductibility as a prime factor driving up rents.
More than anything, the Great Landlords Handout undermines the government’s alarmist talk about the state of the country’s books...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.