A "large and formidable" alliance wants the launch of a "pollution-busting home reno programme"
A new, huge alliance is asking all political parties to focus on launching a “pollution-busting home reno programme” for hundreds of thousands of Kiwi homes.
The alliance is composed of organisations from the business, health, sustainability, environmental, consumer, building, and housing sectors, including Consumer NZ, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, eHaus, the Sustainable Business Network, Lawyers for Climate Action, and the Green Building Council.
Twenty-two (22) groups have teamed up to call on all political parties to commit to take action to improve some 200,000 homes, if elected, Stuff reported.
In a joint statement, the alliance urged the parties to promise they would have, within six months of being elected, “a fully-funded, ambitious plan to roll out a pollution-busting home reno programme for at least 200,000 homes within nine years, which would slash carbon emissions and household bills, and improve the health of thousands of New Zealanders, young and old, and create tens of thousands of jobs.”
According to the most recent census, 300,000-plus homes in New Zealand were always or sometimes damp, while more than 250,000 had visible mould bigger than A4 size at least some of the time.
The report also found that Māori and Pasifika were more likely to reside in damp or mouldy homes than other ethnic groups, with more than 40% living in damp housing.
Recent EECD research suggested that renovating New Zealand homes would make it easier and cheaper to achieve a fully renewable, fossil fuel-free electricity system, by significantly decreasing electricity demand for heating, the alliance said.
Such a move would also help mitigate the “dry year problem,” which happens when the nation’s hydro-power catchments don’t get enough rainfall or snow melt and storage lakes runs low. Fossil fuel generation currently provides backup support.
Andrew Eagles, Green Building Council CEO, said the breadth of issues covered by the “large and formidable” alliance of organisations showed a “staggering” level of concern.
“These influential and diverse voices are now asking all political parties for solid action to improve hundreds of thousands of homes,” Eagles said. “Doing so would have huge benefits for New Zealanders – cutting household bills, improving health, slashing carbon pollution, and creating thousands of jobs, helping a just transition.
“This is just the beginning. We’re asking all organisations who want better homes for everyone in Aotearoa to add their voice to this growing coalition.”
Jon Iliffe, of eHaus, said now is the right time to future-proof against fuel poverty by reducing the amount of energy required in homes to stay healthy.
“There is no question that this is one of the best investments we can make for the benefit of all,” Iliffe said.
The alliance also includes the New Zealand Institute of Building, Bayleys, Vector, JLL, Bunnings, Architectural Designers New Zealand, Sustainability Trust, Community Housing Aotearoa, the Insulation Association of New Zealand, Knauf Insulation, Beca, Community Energy Network, Passive House Institute New Zealand, SuperHome Movement, Inzide, Architectus, and Professor Robyn Phipps.
According to polling by Curia Market Research, housing ranked as the second most important voting issue for New Zealanders, Stuff reported.
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