Learning Outcomes 

This module provides an overview of the New Zealand emissions profile and the main industries that contribute to our total emissions.

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Understand how different industry subsets and fuels contribute to New Zealand’s GHG emissions​​
• Understand the difference between industrial process related emissions and energy related emissions from industry
• Understand which industries contribute most to New Zealand’s energy related emissions from industry and where these emissions generally arise
• Understand what end users are currently doing to transition to a low carbon future

Video Duration: 30 minutes approximately

Lesson Notes 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Excluding Land Use Change

 

Global emissions based on information from: www.climatewatchdata.org/ghg-emissions

Industrial Process Contribution in New Zealand

​

 

Industrial Manufacturing Energy Contribution

​

Industrial Manufacturing Energy: Dairy​

• Approximate emissions: 2,300 kt CO2-e​​
• Major energy users: ​
  • Steam and hot water used by spray dryers evaporators, pasteurisers and CIP kitchens

For image see Reference Link 5.

Industrial Manufacturing Energy: Methanol​

• Approximate emissions: 2,000 kt CO2-e​​
• Major energy users: ​
  • Steam for the steam reformer

For image see Reference Link 6.

Industrial Manufacturing Energy: Petroleum Refining​

• Approximate emissions: 0 kt CO2-e​​
• Major energy users: ​
  • Heat for distillation, hydro cracking etc

For image see Reference Link 7.

Industrial Manufacturing Energy: Pulp and Paper​

• Approximate emissions: 600 kt CO2-e​​
• Major energy users: ​
  • Refining process​
  • Steam for Kraft pulping (renewables)​
  • Steam for paper drying (fossil fuels)

For image see Reference Link 8.

Industrial Manufacturing Energy: Other Food Processing​

• Approximate emissions: 500 ktCO2-e
• Major energy users: ​
  • Hot water for cleaning​
  • Heat for cooking, sterilising and drying

For image see Reference Link 9.

Industrial Manufacturing Energy: Meat Processing​

• Approximate emissions: 500 kt CO2-e​​
• Major energy users: ​
  • Hot water for sterilisers
  • Hot water hoses and cleaning

For image see Reference Link 10.

Industrial Manufacturing Energy: Horticulture​

• Approximate emissions: 330 kt CO2-e​​
• Major energy users: ​
  • Heat for greenhouses

For image see Reference Link 11.

Energy Sector Emissions​

• New Zealand grid around 80-85% renewable​
  • This is largely driven by hydroelectric investments across the South Island and central North Island​
• It is important for NZ to be able to flex and utilise a range of fuels​
• Energy storage is a key to having the capacity to move between fuels

For image see Reference Link 12.

Transport Sector Emissions​

• Passenger fleet​
  • Battery technology advancing quickly​
• Heavy fleet​
  • Electric or hydrogen?​
• There are opportunities for fuel switch, but also opportunities for mode switch​
  • For example, moving freight away from trucks and onto rail​
• Aviation and shipping

For image see Reference Link 13.

Waste Sector Emissions​

• Lots of waste is landfilled​
• Organic waste is a topical issue in landfill​
  • Current technology which is being rolled out to combat this is anaerobic digestion​
• Wastewater treatment plants

For image see Reference Link 14.

Conclusion

• Each fuel source (including electricity) has a different emissions factor​
• Emissions from industrial processes (6%) include: ​
  • Emissions released by the steel, aluminium and cement making processes​
  • Refrigerants with high GWP used to replace ozone depleting substances​
• Emissions from energy use in manufacturing (10%) include:​
  • Dairy: steam and hot water for dryers, evaporators, pasteurisers and CIP​
  • Methanol: steam for the steam reformer​
  • Petroleum refining: heat for distillation, hydro cracking etc​
  • Pulp and paper: steam for Kraft pulping and paper drying​
  • Other food processing: hot water for cleaning, heat for cooking​
  • Meat: hot water for sterilisers and cleaning systems​
  • Horticulture: heat for greenhouses​
• End users are starting to move – longer term strategies are being developed

Reference Links 

1. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/440352/nz-greenhouse-gas-emissions-agriculture-energy-sectors-biggest-contributors-in-2019
2. https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector
3. https://emissionstracker.mfe.govt.nz/#NrAMBoEYF12TwCIDiAnA9gZ042wBM4+okALHgBxK7RA
4. https://www.eeca.govt.nz/assets/Resources-EECA/EEUDB_Summary_2017.xlsx
5. https://www.silvesterclark.co.nz/portfolio/fonterra-darfield-dryers-1-2/
6. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/new-zealands-largest-gas-user-strikes-deal-to-reduce-pressure-on-strained-energy-market/CJBGGEEQ6KDTUGSDIXV7GNAJOM/
7. https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/marsden-point-oil-refinery-confirms-shutdown-after-six-decades
8. https://www.starleaton.co.nz/news/post/sustainable-paper-production-neenah-coldenhove
9. https://www.rhima.co.nz/industrial-dishwashers/food-processing/
10. https://teara.govt.nz/en/agricultural-processing-industries
11. https://www.grower2grower.co.nz/tomato-grower-redgrow-from-belgium-expands-with-philips-greenpower-led-toplighting/
12. https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/press-release/new-ceos-plan-to-boost-coal-burning-at-huntly-power-station-regressive/
13. https://www.laboursolutions.com.au/blog/2022/08/choosing-a-career-in-the-transport-industry?source=google.com
14. https://www.wasterecyclingmea.com/net-zero-and-waste-what-is-the-role-of-the-waste-sector-br-i-by-darren-perrin-i