New Zealand’s construction sector is facing a period of both challenge and opportunity. From rising costs to workforce shortages that continue to test the industry, these pressures present a powerful opportunity to innovate and transform. New Zealand’s building sector has a crucial role to play in helping to accelerate the transition to a low carbon future.
Energy efficiency just makes sense. Over the lifetime of a building, it means lower operating costs, as well as lower emissions. In a time of rapidly rising oil prices, and potentially future shortages of diesel, investing in electric machines and adopting construction materials and techniques that reduce fossil fuel use is essential.
A recent report from the New Zealand Green Building Council shows that New Zealand can cheaply and securely close its energy gap with hot water heat pumps, rooftop solar and batteries, and it will be at much lower cost to households than relying on imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The steps towards decarbonisation are economically viable in the long-term, and The Green Party believes government has a key role to play in supporting the building industry and households to make this transition through grants, low-cost loans, training and government procurement.
We can encourage and support rapid industrial decarbonisation in the building and construction sector and support Kiwis to electrify at home, with ideas like:
• The Clean Power Payment, which we campaigned on last election, that would have expanded our Warmer Kiwi Homes scheme to remove the upfront cost barriers to home solar, batteries, hot water heat pumps, and residential deep retrofits that cut power bills and get households off gas.
• A similar proposal that has been developed by the excellent folks at Rewiring Aotearoa and Local Government NZ is the Ratepayers Assistance Scheme (RAS) which would allow homeowners to access low-cost finance that could be used for electric appliances and home solar.
• Restoring something like the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) Fund established under the last government and beefing up EECA to provide more grants and loans to business to make investments that reduce fossil fuel reliance.
• Reinstating the Clean Car Discount and a new programme for heavy vehicles to increase accessibility to electric or other zero emission vehicles.
• Return to and accelerate the work done in the last two terms of Government on the Building for Climate Change programme and support deployment of software tools that make it easier for building designers to test the carbon impact and cost of different materials and design choices.
• Working with the building industry to find solutions to reduce building waste to landfill. Often a bit more support for systems design can reduce materials needed and the off cuts which need to be sent to landfill.
We already have a lot of available knowledge and technology to reduce fossil fuel use and embedded carbon in the building sector. Now more than ever, government need to step up to make it possible for the sector to reduce waste, reduce emissions and reduce ongoing costs for New Zealanders across the board.
Our vision is for every Kiwi to have access to healthy, secure and affordable housing, without compromising the environment. This vision includes freedom of mobility, to ensure that everyone can safely, conveniently and independently get where they need and want to go with minimal impact on the planet. Therefore, we are calling for a national plan to electrify homes, transport and industry using renewable energy.
Climate action is an investment in productivity, and the best way to reduce cost-of-living and cost of building in a fossil fuel crisis. All that is missing is political will, and the Green Party have demonstrated over the last few decades our ability to lead on and implement practical policies that deliver for people across New Zealand.
Stay updated with the latest news by subscribing to our newsletter. Don’t miss out on valuable insights and exciting updates—sign up now to stay connected!
