身為其中一個承諾未來以「碳平衡」為導向的紐西蘭，是2008年「世界環境日」響應活動的主辦國家。而今年的主題是「踢除舊習，邁向低碳經濟」，也就是呼籲並鼓勵大眾實際採取行動來消除全球暖化的最大元凶－－二氧化碳。
2007世界環境日由挪威主辦，其主題為面對氣候變遷的挑戰、極地區受到的威脅；而2008年在紐西蘭舉辦的世界環境日，關注焦點在於找出讓國家、企業及社區「踢除舊習」的解決方案與契機，以及邁向低碳經濟與生活方式。
「我們已承諾減少排放溫室氣體，以促使紐西蘭更進一步往環境的永續發展邁進。」紐西蘭總理克拉克（Helen Clark）表示，「但如果要解決氣候變遷的種種問題，那麼全球一定要有共識一起剔除二氧化碳舊習才行。」
目前至少有一家紐西蘭企業在減碳上小有成就；紐西蘭航空於4日表示其推動的省油行動計畫已開始啟動，預計將飛航排放的二氧化碳每年減少了10萬噸以上，並且每年能節省約4300萬美元的燃料費。
紐航總機師摩根（ David Morgan ）指出，紐航對飛航系統的每個環節都加以檢視，利用節省燃料來減少碳排放，在這方面，紐航一直以來可以說是世界的楷模。
摩根表示，「為了尋求降低環境衝擊的解決之道，紐西蘭航空一直都是站在最前線。目前為止，紐航只用了3年的時間就減少了9.1萬噸的碳排放，我們原本已設定目標，計畫在5年內要達到每年減碳10萬噸，但現在我們希望2年內就達成。」
此外，紐西蘭航空於6日宣布，預計在2013年之前每年能使用至少100萬桶的環境永續燃料。
紐航執行長費夫（Rob Fyfe ）表示，在接來幾年內，符合航空業嚴格標準的環境永續燃料一定能達到商業量產，他們對此越來越有信心。
New Zealand, one of the first countries to pledge a carbon-neutral future, is the main host of today's celebration of World Environment Day 2008. The theme this year, “Kick the CO2 Habit," is meant to inspire and encourage actions to eliminate the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, CO2, a main contributor to global warming.
The challenge of climate change and threats to polar regions and beyond were spotlighted in Norway as part of World Environment Day 2007. The focus of the global 2008 celebrations hosted in New Zealand is on the solutions and the opportunities for countries, companies and communities to "kick the habit" and de-carbonize their economies and their lifestyles.
"As part of New Zealand's drive for greater environmental sustainability, we've made a commitment to reduce our emissions," said Prime Minister Helen Clark. "But to overcome the challenge of climate change, kicking the carbon habit must be a truly global goal."
At least one New Zealand company is having some success in reducing its emissions.
Air New Zealand announced Wednesday that its fuel savings initiative program is on track to see the airline reduce its carbon emissions by more than 100,000 tons annually and save $43 million a year as well.
General Manager Airline Operations Captain David Morgan says the airline has been a world leader in examining every aspect of its flight operations to reduce carbon emissions by saving fuel.
"Air New Zealand has been at the forefront of finding ways to minimize our environmental impact and so far our flight operations program has delivered 91,000 tons in reduced carbon emissions in just over three years. We had a goal of topping 100,000 tons annually within five years and we look like beating that by almost two years," Captain Morgan says.
Air New Zealand announced today that it expects to use at least one million barrels of environmentally sustainable fuel annually by 2013.
Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says the airline is growing increasingly confident that commercial quantities of environmentally sustainable fuels that meet all the airline's stringent criteria will become available over the next few years.
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作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
