What’s our way to carbon zero?
Find out how and why we’re reducing emissions.
Find out how and why we’re reducing emissions.
Christchurch City Council is responding to climate change by setting targets for reduced emissions. Climate change is happening now and we’re already feeling the effects around the world and in Aotearoa New Zealand, so meeting these targets is essential – for Christchurch, for everyone, for good.
The aim is to halve Christchurch’s emissions by 2030 and become carbon zero by 2045.
How: By looking at our living and transport options. There’s lots we can all do to help reach our targets and by working together we’ll get there.
Why: In lowering our emissions we’re joining worldwide commitments to help slow down global warming and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
The New Zealand Government has passed the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act for 2050, providing a framework for New Zealand to develop and implement clear and robust climate change policies, with an emissions reduction plan underway.
The focus on living and road transport options involves everyone. Road transport using petrol and diesel is the single biggest source of our emissions, and living and road transport issues go hand in hand. By looking at where and how we live, and the ways we get around, we can reduce our emissions and meet our targets.
Better ways every day from everyone will make all the difference. Whether it’s small steps or big thinking and long-term changes, choosing ways that cut our emissions is our way to carbon zero.
The Council is responding to changes happening now and preparing for change in the future. A lot of work has already been done to support better, low-emission ways of living and getting around, with more to come.
On-road petrol and diesel transport accounts for 36% of Christchurch’s total emissions. Plenty of work has already been done to make it way easier, safer and healthier for us all to choose better, low-emission ways to get around, and more ways are in the works. Population growth, housing issues including affordability, and climate change are prompting a re-think of some of Christchurch’s planning rules. People need places to live, places to play and easy ways to get around while still protecting the environment and values that make Christchurch such a special place to live. We’re proposing changes to our District Plan to provide for our continued growth and prosperity. Christchurch needs more homes. We need to build on the city’s existing footprint and make the best use of space in areas that are suitable for more housing – such as fitting more homes onto existing sections, and building upwards. We also need to think about greater opportunities for business development in Christchurch. We want to put houses in the right parts of our city, located close to our growing main commercial centres where there is access to services, public transport networks and infrastructure. Living within easy reach of work, school and the shops makes getting around easier and helps reduce transport emissions, which is good for the environment. The proposed District Plan changes will affect how our city grows sustainably, how we move around, the type of housing we live in, and how we adapt and respond to climate change and coastal hazards. From 11 April until 13 May 2022, we welcome your feedback on our draft Housing and Business Choice, Heritage, Coastal Hazards and Radio Communication Pathways plan changes. This will help us shape the draft changes(external link) needed to bring our District Plan in line with government legislation, before they go out for formal consultation before August 2022. Since 2012, more than 1150 tonnes of emissions a year have already been reduced by converting Christchurch’s streetlights to LED. This is also saving ratepayers more than $1.5 million in electricity and maintenance costs. There are nearly 44,000 streetlights in the entire network and completion is on track for 2024. Christchurch’s red, yellow and green bin kerbside collection service allows us to reduce waste going to landfill, reducing the emissions our landfill produces. As well as being better for the environment this saves ratepayers money. Sorting items into the right bins also means that recyclable items get new purpose and organics can be turned into compost. Reaching our targets will be a challenge and we’ll need to be carbon offsetting to help meet them, along with transitioning to low-emission options and becoming a more sustainable city. Measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the first and most important part of managing our carbon footprints. Where we can’t avoid producing emissions, carbon offsetting allows us to compensate by investing in emissions reductions elsewhere. Tree-planting or clean energy projects can have a proven and measurable reduction in emissions. Investments are often made to support developing nations transition more quickly to a clean energy based economy. They can support biodiversity goals and offer valuable social benefits to groups involved in the projects. We welcome proposals for inspired and innovative ways to reduce emissions or ways to grow our resilience to the impacts of climate change. If you, your school or business have a great idea for a sustainability project you could get support from the Sustainability Fund. For travel: Better ways to get around
For growth: More housing choice is the way forward
For power: Using less energy
For waste: Reducing landfill
For extra measures: Offsetting carbon emissions
For inspiration: Funding your sustainability ideas
Applications can be sent in at any time of the year. Funding for the next round opens in September 2022. Get thinking and find out more about the Sustainability Fund(external link).