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Energy

Here you can find information on energy and the ARC's policies on promoting energy efficiency and encouraging the use of renewable energy.

Energy is needed for almost every aspect of our lifestyles:

  • We move around the region in vehicles powered by petrol and diesel.
  • We heat and light our homes with electricity, gas, wood and coal.
  • Businesses need power to run.
  • The goods we buy from shops are transported, often from other countries.
  • Entertainment involves lighting, amplified sounds and heating of spaces and food.

Reliable, affordable, secure supplies of energy are needed to maintain our quality of life. Aucklanders have experienced electricity outages that have caused major disruptions. We have also experienced rapid rises in oil prices due to international events beyond the region’s control.

The production, transportation and use of energy can have major adverse impacts, particularly on the environment. For example, fossil fuel combustion releases CO2 into the atmosphere, causing climate change. Fine particulates from coal, wood and oil combustion also remain suspended in the air, causing health problems.

The challenge for energy sustainability is to ensure we secure sources of energy to support our quality of life, without damaging the environment.

The ARC's role in energy

Under the Resource Management Act, regional councils are responsible for the integrated sustainable management of natural and physical resources, including energy.

Under the Local Government Act 2002, councils are also responsible for promoting the sustainable development of their communities, which means caring for the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of their communities, now and in the future. Energy matters have a large impact on all aspects of community well-being.

In the energy chapter (chapter 5) of the Auckland Regional Policy Statement, the ARC has defined two major policies for energy:

  • promoting energy efficiency
  • encouraging use of renewable energy.

Joint submission to Government draft energy and climate change policy

In March 2007, the ARC and the other seven councils of the region - Rodney District, North Shore City, Waitakere City, Auckland City, Manukau City, Papakura District and Franklin District Councils - provided joint submissions to Government draft energy and climate change policy:

Joint submission to the Draft NZ Energy Strategy (101.2 KB PDF)

Joint submission to the NZ energy efficiency and conservation strategy (90.9 KB PDF)

Joint submission to the Transitional Measures for low emissions electricity (53.5 KB PDF)

Post-2012 measures to reduce greenhouse gases (45.5 KB PDF)

Sustainable land management and climate change (57.4 KB PDF)