New Zealand Requires Government Agencies to Buy Electric Vehicles

New Zealand is requiring all government agencies and ministries to purchase electric vehicles as part of its goal to be carbon neutral in five years, the NZ Herald reports. 

The new mandate also requires all public sector buildings to meet a "green standard."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the new measures while declaring a climate emergency in New Zealand earlier this week. 

Government agencies will have to measure, verify and report emissions annually. Aditionally, they are now required to set gross emissions reduction targets and create an emissions reduction plan. 

Currently, there are 16,000 vehicles in the government's fleet.