New Zealand Reports
Featured
This Government is taking action to unlock private investment in hydrogen.
After a period of relative stability, our energy system is undergoing a period of challenge and opportunity. Recent months have demonstrated how critical it is that we have a diversified, resilient energy system. And over the longer term, purchasers of New Zealand goods and services are increasingly demanding low-carbon products, delivered to market on low-carbon trucks, planes, and ships.
New Zealand is fortunate to have abundant renewable energy potential, which provides a strong foundation to electrify much of our economy, but also to produce hydrogen and other green fuels for activities that are less suited to electrification.
The Government, with the release of its proposals for New Zealand’s Second Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP2), has signalled a change in direction towards ‘Net Zero’ 2050. The proposals set out in the discussion document consolidates the Government’s policies to reduce emissions and meet our national budget over the next five years (2026-2030).
The ERP2, released on Wednesday 17 July 2024, was open for consultation with the closing date being Wednesday 21 August 2024. The Second Emissions Reduction Plan is to be published by the end of this year.
The consultation document makes substantial references to hydrogen for multiple use cases, including as part of the solution for natural gas replacement, a low-emission alternative in heavy industry, heavy and specialty transport, production of green fuels including sustainable aviation fuels.
This report was prepared by Standards New Zealand following a technical standards review. The review resulted in a suite of hydrogen and related equipment standards recommendations, determined by Technical Advisory Group (TAG) P3652 convened by Standards New Zealand on behalf of WorkSafe New Zealand – Energy Safety.
We need to do things differently if we are to avoid the impacts of climate change. To play our part in limiting global warming to 1.5°C, the Government has committed to reaching net zero for all greenhouse gas emissions (excluding biogenic methane) by 2050.
Reaching this goal will require a substantial and coordinated effort, and a commitment from across government that we are not shy of making. The Government is focused on the long-term strategic work of system change to a high performing, low emissions future.
Our reliance on fossil fuels is compromising our climate and the wellbeing of future generations. The changing climate is affecting our economy, the environment and our way of life. New Zealand remains an active participant in the international response to the challenge of climate change (through the 2015 Paris Agreement), principally by making substantial reductions in our greenhouse gas emissions.