Suggestions for decarbonsing vehicles, removing fringe benefit tax (FBT) on EVs, subsidising e-bikes and introducing road congestion charges are among 26 actions costing about $7.3 billion the Sustainable Business Council and Climate Leaders Coalition want the incoming government to consider.
The two groups represent about 150 businesses including Fonterra and Z Energy and say the new Government should continue to prioritise decarbonisation and work in partnership with New Zealand businesses to accelerate that during the next three years to reach a zero carbon goal by 2050.
The report prepared by Sapere and DETA says the businesses involved contribute towards more than a third of New Zealand’s GDP and presents a series of practical actions towards accelerating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand, Sustainable Business Council chair Karen Silk and Climate Leaders Coalition convenor Mike Bennetts say in the report’s foreword.
Three key recommendations are investing in low carbon transport (developing a roadmap to accelerate transformation across the fleet including introducing low carbon fuel standards), enhancing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s programmes for energy efficiency and supporting the phasing out of coal-fuelled plants, plus creating an accelerated pathway for the development and adoption of methane reduction technologies.
The report also supports bringing back a version of the proposed Clean Car Standard, the Clean Car Discount or “feebate”, and the removal of FBT on plug-in electric cars to make them more attractive for corporate fleets.
A $10 million injection into e-bike subsidies, introducing road congestion charges, requiring fuel suppliers to annually provide renewable fuels, establish a low-carbon fuel standard, and support for switching aircraft to electric are also suggested.
A more detailed report is expected to be available later this year.