On the tools LOW-CARBON TECHNOLOGIES
consultation with the industry by the CCC before releasing the draft report. Whilst Master Plumbers is supportive of sustainability measures to help New Zealand reach its net zero emissions target by 2050, the organisation has expressed disappointment that the CCC’s draft advice report focuses on residential gas, when gas use contributes to just 4% of all New Zealand’s CO2 emissions, with residential gas usage contributing just 0.75%. CEO Greg Wallace says the proposal to ban gas in domestic use within five years also does not allow sufficient time to develop natural gas and LPG alternatives, which could be used in existing gas networks—such as biogas, bioLPG and hydrogen. “The government should be fasttracking research and development into these fuels,” he says. In its March submission to the CCC, Master Plumbers stresses the value of having multiple energy networks in New Zealand, rather than an over-reliance on electricity for household heating, hot water and cooking—particularly if drought conditions are to become more commonplace, affecting hydroelectric
TECHNICAL THEME
Since the draft report was released, how many of your customers have asked to cancel gas installation work? None
1-5
6-10
11-19
20+ 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Above: In a Master Plumbers survey to members following the release of the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice, nearly 40% of respondents said up to five customers had already asked to cancel residential gas projects.
supply. It also notes that for many lowincome households, gas is the predominant energy source. “A reduction in the output of gas will additionally lead to a rise in the price of gas, adding undue pressure to those already struggling,” it says. According to the Master Plumbers submission, gasfitting businesses will play an important role in aiding the transition
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towards alternative gaseous energy sources— yet the proposals threaten the future of the industry, with some gasfitting apprentices already questioning the value of continuing with their qualifications. “These apprentices will be expected to maintain existing gas installations and help in the conversion of gas systems far into the future and the loss of these skills and knowledge would be vast.”
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