46839 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

46839 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter January to March 2024 to ‘Identify actions to achieve a 25 percent reduction of category-1 emissions by 2025, including a fleet optimisation plan, transitioning boilers to low emission technologies, a nitrous oxide scavenging and destruction pilot and supporting desflurane phase out’ under section 3.7.4 ‘Action on climate change’ within Te Whatu Ora’s Te Pae Tata: Interim New Zealand Health Plan 2022?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised during the January to March 2024 quarter, Health New Zealand started work required under the Carbon Neutral Government Programme to develop an Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP), which must be submitted to the Ministry for the Environment by 1 December 2024. Health NZ has established a Coal Boiler Replacement Programme, funded by the State Sector Decarbonisation Fund, to transition the remaining coal boilers. 17% of Health NZ’s total fleet are Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), with 58 new BEVs in this period. Desflurane use continues to be significantly lower than 2015 levels, with some areas completely removing its use.