New Zealand’s public sector is moving to be carbon neutral by 2025 with the announcement of a $4.8 million investment for efficiency projects that will support hospitals, universities, and government buildings in switching to clean energy. 

Minister of Climate Change James Shaw said the latest funding from the $220 million State Sector Decarbonisation Fund will help to purchase more electric vehicles and energy-efficient lighting. 

“This Government has been putting tens of millions of dollars into supporting hospitals, schools and other public organisations switch to clean, climate-friendly ways of keeping people warm and the lights on,” Minister Shaw said. 

“The projects I am announcing today build on this and take the overall carbon emission saving to close to half a million tonnes over the next 10 years. The projects we have supported, both large and small, will together make a significant contribution towards meeting New Zealand’s emissions budgets.” 

Minister Shaw said the NZ Government published a plan to build a low-carbon future that will benefit everyone earlier this year. 

He said the Emissions Reduction Plan will ensure every sector is playing its part to meet the climate targets put in place by the Government. 

“Our commitment to a carbon neutral public sector by 2025 ensures the Government leads by example as we continue to take action to cut climate pollution and boost clean energy right across the country,” he said. 

“The State Sector Decarbonisation Fund is a key part of this and sets a clear example for other sectors of the economy, demonstrating how cutting emissions can improve efficiency and services.” 

Minister Shaw states that the move towards clean energy in the public sector is “helping the country build a future where children are learning in classrooms powered by clean energy, rather than coal; where nurses and doctors can look after our loved ones in hospitals that run on climate-friendly energy; where social workers and midwives can visit people in electric vehicles, and where people can access essential local services in clean, energy-efficient buildings.”

In total, the projects supported by the State Sector Decarbonisation Fund will save 432,924 tonnes of carbon emissions over 10 years – which is the equivalent of taking 17,800 cars off the road. 

Source: Beehive.govt.nz. Content has been edited for style and length

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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