Ecotourism

• The initiative also underpins the government’s aspirational goal of having 100% of electricity generated by renewable sources by 2035.
• The purpose of this fund is to accelerate investment from Crown companies and agencies to speed up decarbonisation.
• To address climate change threats in New Zealand will require more than mobilising private investment with a focus on renewable energy.

1. Maximising renewable energy

• It is already over 80% renewable, but the grid is topped up by coal.
• This requires a national, publicly owned entity whose goal is to maximise renewable energy production (not profits in private companies).

2. Rethinking travel

New Zealand has a growing fleet of electric vehicles, but the transport system still largely runs on fossil fuels. It is one of the country’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 17% of gross emissions. Apart from improving public transport and promoting cycling and walking, simply avoiding unnecessary travel becomes essential. The COVID pandemic has shown the way with teleconferencing and virtual meetings.

3. Reduce shipping emissions

• If shipping were a country, it would be sixth in total emissions.
• Last month, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency that regulates global shipping, agreed to a new climate strategy to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions “close to 2050”.

4. Trains versus planes

For international air travel, development of sustainable aviation fuels is progressing. Further optimising air traffic and flight routes and promoting the use of fuel-efficient aircraft and technologies is essential. It seems likely carbon offsets may be required, and these could be expensive. For domestic travel, trains may become more viable.

5. Prepare for tourism declines

Ecotourism is likely to grow, and operators will have to abide by sustainability certifications and limits to fragile ecosystems areas. Off-peak and new, dispersed destinations seem likely. Offsetting carbon may become mandatory and the cost is likely to go up, with adverse effects on New Zealand’s economy.

6. Better carbon offsets

The need for quality offsets for fossil fuel use is likely to increase. The main potential is wood in trees, since plants take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, trees have a finite lifetime and this can only be a temporary fix. Indigenous trees grow more slowly and can lock up carbon for more than a century. But considerable care is needed to avoid forest fires and disease, or the offset value diminishes rapidly.

7. Strategic forestry

• Large-scale afforestation and reforestation efforts to expand forest cover should continue, as strategic planting of native trees will enhance carbon sequestration and restore ecosystem balance.
• Implementation of sustainable forest management practices, emphasising selective logging and reforestation after harvesting, will ensure a continuous carbon sink, preserve biodiversity and protect sensitive ecosystems.

8. Greener cities and towns

Urban forestry can counteract urban heat island effects and enhance air quality. Planting trees in public spaces and along streets in residential areas can reduce energy consumption for cooling and improve people’s wellbeing.

9. Biofuel development

• As well as using wood to temporarily sequester carbon, it can be used as a biofuel.
• This process can be applied to various types of biomass, including wood chips, slash, agricultural residues and other organic materials.

10. Incentives for better land use

• New Zealand should implement financial incentives and regulations to encourage private landowners to participate in tree planting and sustainable forest management.
• Tax incentives, carbon offset programmes and grants can drive private investment in climate-friendly practices.

A more self-sufficient future

• Planning for the consequences of climate change and building resilience are both essential.
• New Zealand needs to become a lot more self-sufficient and reduce volumes of exports by increasing domestic processing and manufacture.