In a world where the environment and business have become
inextricably linked, many multinational corporations now factor a
price on carbon pollution in their investment decisions. The
international adoption of carbon pricing as a way of compensating
for the negative impacts of industry will create additional costs
for companies sourcing energy from carbon intensive fuels. New
Zealand can help international businesses future proof their
operations and mitigate this risk.
New Zealand produces up to 75 percent of its electricity from
its abundant and secure supplies of renewable energies such as
hydro, geothermal and wind power. These energy sources have very
low carbon intensity and generate clean energy for industry. Our
economy is innovative and adaptable, with a highly skilled labor
force.
We also have enviable access to the energy intensive markets of
Asia, where demand for clean technologies will rise significantly
in the coming decades.With these attributes, we are uniquely
positioned to benefit from low carbon opportunities in our core
clean technology sectors.
Clean transport
Historically, New Zealand was a pioneer in using alternative
fuels for transport, such as compressed natural gas and liquid
petroleum gas, and it has a proud history of innovation in
transport technologies. More recently, New Zealand companies have
developed automotive technologies including inductive power
transfer (wireless charging) for the deployment of electric
vehicles, more fuel efficient internal combustion engines and third
generation bio-fuels from sustainable resources such as forestry,
algae and select rotation crops.
Renewable energy
New Zealand has a strong history in renewable energy, with a
pioneering interest in geothermal power and decades of expertise in
hydro generation. More recently, we have harnessed our significant
wind resource to broaden our renewable mix. In addition to these
incumbent renewable technologies, New Zealand is developing energy
from its biomass resources along with the capture of wave and tidal
flows. New Zealand currently produces up to 75 percent of its
electricity from renewable energy sources - a figure that is set to
rise to a minimum of 90 percent by 2025 as mandated by the New
Zealand government in 2007.
Clean agriculture
With a long history as a primary producer, New Zealand has been
able to introduce many innovations and efficiencies in
pastoral farming. It leads global research efforts to mitigate
greenhouse gas emissions from primary production and under recent
legislation became the first country to include agricultural
emissions in a domestic emissions trading scheme. This comes into
effect in 2015, showing the New Zealand Government is focused on
ways to reduce emissions from agriculture, in turn creating
significant domestic and international opportunities in this
area.
Environmental technologies
New Zealand businesses are pioneering the use of bio-energy from
biological waste, such as effluent, food waste and landfill waste.
Initiatives range from piloting gasification and bio-oil
technologies for New Zealand trees, plants and waste, to the use of
anaerobic digestion of farm wastes for complete farm energy
solutions.
Energy efficient technologies
There are a wide range of clean technology companies developing
energy and resource efficient technologies and processes for
industry. These advances include new, efficient motors, pumps and
valves for use in food processing, domestic appliances and
industrial machinery.
Find out more about how operating your business in New Zealand
can offer you a significant strategic
advantage.
As the world inevitably starts to put a
price on carbon pollution, conserve energy and look for non-oil
transport fuels, it will be nations that embrace a clean, low
carbon economy that will economically prosper through booming clean
technology exports and increased low carbon foreign investment. And
the nation with the largest natural advantage to capture these
economic opportunities in the developed world is New Zealand
- Dr Ben McNeil, author of The Clean Industrial
Revolution.
Current opportunities
Opportunities are available in:
Please note that the opportunities listed above
are not endorsed or recommended by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
(NZTE), and may be updated from time to time. Investors are advised
to contact our New Zealand-based Investment Specialist to discuss
further and to conduct their own due diligence and independent
advice on the relevant investment, before committing to any
investment.
