There are growing calls to the government to not lose the environmental gains we’ve made through weeks of lockdown. Instead they should use the 2020 Budget to take the opportunity to invest in future sustainability.
BusinessNZ Energy Council’s Tina Schirr says there’s a big case for creating more sustainable options.
Professor Alan Brent from Victoria University of Wellington says every time there has been a massive reduction in energy consumption because of a crisis, immediately after there is a massive spike.
Economist Professor Ilan Noy says democratic governments are worried they will be perceived to be using the crisis as a cover to push long term agendas that doesn’t have popular support.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw points out the climate challenges don’t go away because of the Covid-19 crisis.