There are plenty of options for travelling in low-emission ways that save time and cut costs. Even if you start with just one low-emission trip a week, it all counts.
Driving petrol and diesel vehicles and taking domestic and international flights creates nearly half of Christchurch’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Changing how we travel can significantly reduce emissions, improve health, reduce air and water pollution, decrease noise, and congestion and help make our district safer for everyone.
Worth a thought
- One return flight to London generates approximately 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per person and running a family-sized car for an entire year generates, on average, 3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
- In Christchurch, around 30 per cent of vehicle trips are less than 3 kilometres – that’s a 15-minute bike ride.
- Christchurch has over 70 kilometres of cycleways, making it easy and safe to travel around the city by bike.
- Christchurch has 65 electric buses and is aiming to electrify all public transport buses by 2035.
What you can do
You can significantly reduce emissions while saving time and money by walking, cycling, busing, sharing a ride or switching to an electric vehicle. Driving efficiently, doing multiple tasks with each trip and ensuring your tyres are properly inflated can all help to cut your costs and emissions.
Why not walk?
Christchurch has an extensive network of footpaths and walking tracks in and around the city. Find a park or walking track in your area(external link).
Go by bike
Christchurch is the cycling capital of New Zealand, with 70 kilometres of on- and off-road cycle paths making it easy and safe to get around. Learn more about getting around by bike(external link).
Go by bus
Taking a bus can be quicker and cheaper than driving if you factor in congestion and parking. You can also work, read or relax on the way. Learn more about busing at the Metro website(external link).
Share a ride
Sharing a car can be fun, sociable and a great way to share travel costs. T2 lanes allow vehicles carrying two or more passengers to travel more freely during peak traffic times. Learn more about getting around(external link).
Drive efficiently
Driving smoothly and slowly, combined with properly maintaining your vehicle, can cut your running costs and emissions by up to 20 per cent. Check your tyre pressure each month, because low tyre pressure means more fuel consumption, it reduces the life of your tyres, and it affects vehicle handling and safety. You can also ask for eco-tyres to reduce rolling resistance to further reduce your running costs and emissions. Learn more at Gen Less’ website(external link).
Switch to an electric vehicle
Christchurch has more than 65 public charging stations for electric vehicles. These form part of a nationwide network(external link) of 540 charging stations throughout New Zealand. Find EV charging stations in Christchurch(external link).
Holiday locally
Enjoy the many wonderful delights right on our doorstep. Christchurch and Canterbury offer a wide variety of activities and events throughout the year – discover them at ChristchurchNZ’s website(external link).
What we’re doing
We’re working to make it easy and safe for everyone to move around the city, with a particular focus on improving walking, cycling and public transport networks to encourage low-emission travel options. Our urban planning also makes it easier to live near core city services and employment opportunities. We’re also switching to electric vehicles and equipment to help cut emissions and save costs.
Designing a liveable city that’s easy to get around
We’re making it easier for more people to live close to the central city and to local services such as shops, schools and medical centres. Urban planning also supports a wide range of services and employment opportunities throughout the city to help reduce the need for travel and to improve the quality of life in Christchurch. Learn more about Central City Christchurch(external link) and our Suburban Master Plans(external link).
Improving cycle networks and providing cycle skills training
We’ve created more than 70 kilometres of on- and off-road cycle paths throughout the city, making it easy and safe for biking and scootering. We also work with schools to deliver practical bike skills training for around 3,000 school students each year. These courses are also available for adults who want to gain bike confidence. Learn more about cycling in Christchurch(external link).
Offering free travel planning services
We offer free travel planning for schools, workplaces and households that are keen to adopt more sustainable travel options. Learn more about travel planning(external link).
Improving bus shelters and bus lanes
To make it more convenient and comfortable to use public transport, we’ve been improving the network of bus shelters and installing bus lounges and dedicated bus lanes. Learn more about getting around by bus(external link).
Helping install electric vehicle chargers
We’ve helped to install 65 public charging stations for electric vehicles at key locations throughout Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. These are part of a nationwide network(external link) of 540 charging stations. Find EV charging stations in Christchurch(external link).
Switching to electric vehicles
We’ve joined Zilch’s electric car-sharing service. This has saved us money because we no longer need to maintain and run a fleet of petrol vehicles, but also because we’re only charged for the time the vehicles are used. This service is available to other businesses and households in Christchurch. Learn more at Zilch(external link).
Using electric equipment
We’re switching to electric equipment for our park maintenance activities. This includes using electric motorbikes for rangers, electric mowers, blowers, trimmers and chainsaws. The equipment is much easier and safer to use, and it’s quiet, clean and zero-emission. Learn more about how we’re using e-power tools(external link).