Continue to the full releaseMay 14, 2018
That's a huge increase from the Productivity Commission's estimate of between 2 to 5 percent. The carbon footprint of New Zealand's buildings currently takes into account operational emissions like heating and lighting.
But the author of the Thinkstep report, Jeff Vickers, said their approach only took into account what was produced, not what was consumed.
"If you factor in the whole life cycle so taking account of production of the building products, also the operational energy and end of life, you get to a number that's 20 percent of New Zealand's total.
"It changes the game on how significant the built environment really is," he said.
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242