15 August 2007

Media release

Business leaders welcome Meridian's initiatives on healthy home construction, electric cars trial

Meridian Energy's moves to provide a new one-stop comfortable and energy efficient homes advisory service - and trial the introduction of all electric cars in New Zealand are welcome and show business is prepared to 'walk the talk' on climate change.

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development, whose 58 members' annual sales equate to about 30% of gross domestic product, says if the electric car trial succeeds in encouraging major auto makers to supply New Zealand as a world test market it will be the best outcome possible.

Business Council Chief Executive Peter Neilson says recharging all-electric cars with power from carbon-zero, renewable energy sources, like wind and hydro projects, would "be the greatest outcome we could hope for".

Meridian's move to set up Righthouse, a one stop shop to ensure people building homes got the best combination of energy-efficient technology - and that it is properly installed for maximum effect - will provide one of the breakthroughs the country needs to boost its healthy-home stock.

"We're paying a big penalty for 300,000 uninsulated homes and the health problems they cause. Even people trying to do the right thing when building new homes are often coming up against inefficient installation and failing to enjoy the promised warmth, comfort and energy saving gains.

"Meridian will set a new standard in this field," Mr Neilson says. "Meridian is also proving that doing it right will result in significant rises in home values and capital gains for the home owners."

Business Council research showed New Zealanders wanted the country to lead on climate change.

"What we're seeing is business leadership. The benefits will be big for New Zealanders and the companies which lead the way. All the research shows there is a huge wave of consumers building for products and services which do the right things commercially, socially and for the environment."

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