The role of research in New Zealand’s sustainable future

1. The role of research in New Zealand’s sustainable future David Parker Energy and Climate Change Minister June 2008

2. “Why shouldn’t New Zealand aim to be the first country which is truly sustainable? Not by sacrificing our living standards, but by being smart and determined.” - Prime Minister Helen Clark

3. Climate change will change our natural environment • Increased frequency of severe climatic events like droughts, floods, and storms • Wetter in west, drier in east • Changed growing seasons/regions • Biosecurity risks

4. NZ’s projected deficit has reduced dramatically for the 1st Kyoto Commitment Period Forest sinks

6. Role of research and education Universities contribute: • Research on behavioural and technological issues • Scientific understanding and analysis of our energy resource base, climactic data, adaptation and mitigation issues • Analysis and presentation of views to inform public debates and policy development

7. Funding for sustainable development research Budget 2008: $32.5m over 4 years: • $10 m for renewable energy research • $18.5m for transformation Research, Science and Technology • Includes $4m for the Low Carbon Energy Technologies (LCET) Fund • $4m for deep geothermal energy research

8. Growth areas • Renewable energy • Energy efficiency • Agricultural mitigation

9. 90 percent renewable electricity by 2025 New Build Generation Costs

10. NZ already a world leader in geothermal development 8% of electricity from shallow geothermal Untapped deep geothermal resource Geothermal

11. Wind energy • Small proportion in New Zealand at present, but big potential • Integration into grid

12. Wave and tidal • Marine Energy Deployment Fund: $8m over four years • First award made to Crest Energy for $1.85m

13. Biofuels • Biofuel Bill will mean sales of biofuels are mandatory • Sustainability standard being developed • Second generation biofuels

14. Energy efficiency

15. Electric vehicles • NZ to be world leaders in using electric vehicles • Powered by renewables • ‘Smart grid’ needed to balance load

16. Designline hybrid electric bus

17. Building Code changes mean better insulation and efficiency standards The future lies in smarter design to reduce energy use Building design Conservation House

18. Recycling/Waste recovery • Reduce emissions by re-using and recycling • Engineering, design, and science all play a part

19. Methane Nitrous oxide Agricultural mitigation • NZ to continue as a world leader in agricultural emissions reduction research • NZ to lead the world in reducing agricultural emissions • Livestock Emissions and Abatement Research Network

20. Biggest ever boost to primary sector R&D • $700 million over 10-15 years • Four focus areas: • Sustainable pastoral systems including emission reductions • Research and education capability • Food innovation clusters • Internationalisation

21. Summary • Climate change means opportunity as well as risk • Sustainability is part of the government’s economic transformation agenda • Innovation is key to making the most of change