Meridian welcomes the Government’s consultation on the Emissions Reduction Plan, but calls for more urgent action.
Meridian Chief Executive Neal Barclay says,
“The latest science clearly demonstrates that we must act now. This need for urgent change is being heard by business, community leaders, iwi, hapū and local government, all of whom are rallying to act and partner with Government to deliver a zero-carbon future. So, it’s disappointing that the Emissions Reduction Plan will be late and that the impact of policies currently proposed for inclusion in the Emissions Reduction Plan will see Aotearoa fall short of our first emissions budget.”
“Meridian believes urgent action is needed for our environment and our economy. And we will play our part,” says Barclay.
“The climate issue we face is like compounding interest, the earlier we collectively abate, the greater the gains year on year.”
The opportunity to electrify transport and industrial energy uses with renewable electricity is significant for our country and, once it’s done, it will go a long way to eliminating our non-agricultural emissions. Meridian is committed to working with government, industries and our customers to support the future electrification and decarbonisation of the New Zealand economy.
“In the electricity sector alone, we estimate between $7 and $10 billion of new renewable generation must be built in the next 10 years to ensure New Zealand achieves its climate goals. Meridian will deliver a significant share of that build programme,” adds Barclay.
The electricity sector is a big part of the solution.
The industry can and will build the renewable generation and transmission assets required to power growth in the number of electric vehicles on our roads and the electrification of stationary energy uses, ending our country’s current dependence on fossil fuels. We need to focus on projects that will help to transform our society and economy in the next decade as we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and transition to clean energy to respond to the climate emergency facing us all.
Meridian will provide a more complete response to the ERP consultation document.
ENDS
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Meridian Energy Media Team
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