“Yes we can!” achieve greenhouse gas mitigation

May 28th

“When 22 of New Zealand’s energy efficiency and renewable energy associations are eager to convene at short notice to form a collective view, you know you are onto something worthwhile”, says Brian Cox, Bioenergy Association Executive Officer and an organiser of the Yes We Can symposium to assist government to identify opportunities to meet New Zealand’s 2030 Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets.

The symposium being held in Wellington covers industry associations gives voice to the opportunities for supply and utilization from geothermal, solar, wind and bioenergy resources and has the support of Hon Simon Bridges who will address delegates, outlining the programme for change.

“Collectively we have a large and very strong body of knowledge with history who understand the challenges but often the knowledge is buried at the grass roots across a number of sectors. Our objective is to use the industry associations to tease out what are the real issues, the real opportunities and the real barriers to addressing New Zealand’s local low carbon options”, he says.

Directed at identifying the possibilities for New Zealand’s GHG reduction targets the symposium is - “Not about maybes, or wishful thinking, but realistic and achievable initiatives within the Paris timetable. We hear a lot about what other countries are doing, but the challenges and solutions to mitigate our issues need to be driven organically from within, from the bottom up,” adds Cox.

“This symposium is really just starting the conversation. The objective at this point is to gain and paint a big picture with an action plan. “As associations, we want to take the lead now and gain a holistic view around the economic opportunities. By acting now we have the chance to avoid inertia, tap into a willing and engaged collective knowledge base. This is our chance to move the game up a notch and provide government with an action plan.”

With the for enthusiasm for the event there is a level optimism for the ability of New Zealand industries to compete with government’s proposal to import 80% of our future carbon requirements and be part of a collaborative Plan of Action. This is renewable energy sectors opportunity to avoid a piecemeal myopic approach to this important issue.

ENDS

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