Hon David Parker - 15/01/2007 - Climate Change Minister
David Parker is to meet with world-leading entrepreneur
and businessman Sir Richard Branson today, to talk about
biofuels.
David Parker says the meeting is a chance to discuss how
investment by the British entrepreneur in biofuel technologies
in New Zealand could help the world fight the global challenge
of climate change.
Sir Richard has pledged to spend NZ$4.5 billion from his
rail and airline business profits over the next 10 years
on projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including
biofuels research.
"Sir Richard Branson has made a bold and visionary
commitment to the challenge of tackling climate change,
for which I congratulate him." David Parker said.
"I wrote to Sir Richard last year, to encourage him
to consider New Zealand-based world-leading initiatives
to develop biofuels for the transport sector.
"He responded with interest, and I'm very pleased
that while he's in New Zealand for a short time, Sir Richard
has been able to find time for this meeting today to discuss
details further.
"New Zealand is already committed to developing and
using biofuels, through a mandatory biofuels sales obligation.
"New Zealand's established excellence in related scientific
research, our reputation for innovation, our climate and
resources available, make it an ideal place to invest, and
I look forward to talking about this with Sir Richard.
"I am providing him with information on some of the
world-leading biofuels research and development being undertaken
by New Zealand companies, including:
Ethanol production from carbon monoxide waste streams (LanzaTech,
Auckland)
Biodiesel production from algae grown on (and cleaning
up) municipal sewage and dairy shed effluent (Aquaflow Bionomic
Corporation Ltd, Christchurch)
Ethanol production from cellulose using coppiced Salix
willow (BioJoule Ltd, Auckland)"
