the New Zealand government recently passed an energy efficiency bill to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Greens party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the bill is the first piece of legislation in the country to address climate change.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill, put forward by the Greens, gives the Labour-led government the power to set energy efficiency standards. The bill also lays the foundation for New Zealand's first national energy saving plan. Moreover, it marks the Green Party's first contribution to the country's existing legal framework.

Fitzsimons said: "The government wants to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in 2002. This legislation will put us on track to meet those obligations.'