Media Release from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)

Sunday 27 July 2003

Mayors tread lightly on Queenstown environment

Mayors, councillors and delegates have helped minimise the impact of the Local Government Conference on the Queenstown environment by Ridesharing from the airport to their hotels today.

Shuttles provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) met flights from the main centres to Queenstown today. EECA staff were on hand to encourage delegates to get on board with a 'ticket to ride'.

"By sharing a ride and reducing the number of one person car trips, delegates have reduced their carbon footprint on Queenstown," says EECA Chief Executive Heather Staley.

"Queenstown is a hot spot for tourists and conferences because of its beautiful natural environment - anything that prevents pollution is a thing worth doing.

"It's so easy to arrive at the airport and hop into the first cab, or rental car, you can find. When going to a large conference the odds are that many of the co-passengers are going to the same place - and it only takes a few minutes to ask," Ms Staley said.

RideShare is one of the transport programmes EECA encourages councils to use to reduce congestion, emissions and transport energy use.

Ms Staley said EECA is improving energy choices. For information on EECA visit www.energywise.org.nz

ENDS

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