Perceptions of challenges
Respondents generally feel that climate change and climate action are important issues in Christchurch and need to be addressed, although other issues such as water pollution and contamination, violence in society, and the economy/cost of living are of greater concern.
Respondents think that the top contributors to emissions are:
- How we travel (46%)
- The waste we produce (45%)
- Deforestation (35%)
It is encouraging to see that respondents know transport is our biggest emissions contributor, and are aware of ways to reduce their household's transport emissions. Convenience and lack of alternatives were the most commonly reported barriers to behaviour change for respondents.
Take a look at our Emission Tracker(external link) to get a better understanding of our biggest emission sources.
Who's taking climate action?
Most respondents agree they feel a sense of responsibility to reduce their personal emissions and negative environmental and societal impacts (68%). This differed by gender and age:
- Women are significantly more likely to agree they feel this sense of responsibility
- Younger respondents are more likely to agree they feel a sense of responsibility
Recycling as much as possible remains the action respondents take most frequently to reduce personal emissions.
Actions around consumption, waste and diet/food were considered by women to have the biggest impact on reducing their emissions, while men generally considered their transport-related actions as having the biggest impact.
How prepared are we?
Respondents understand and agree that we all need to make changes to reduce the impacts of climate change, and it should be factored into our decision making:
- Almost two thirds (64%) of respondents feel knowledgeable about the things they can do to take climate action and reduce emissions
- 68% agree that they are prepared to change their own behaviour in order to reduce their emissions
Generally, respondents are willing to engage in behaviours and actions that work to reduce carbon emissions where these feel achievable and are easily integrable into their lifestyle.
The most common sources for obtaining climate-related information are online news websites, other websites and online resources, and word-of-mouth.
Climate action and business
Generally, respondents feel that the business sector has a role to play in taking climate action, but opinions are mixed about the commitment from the business sector and the transparency about what businesses are doing to reduce their emissions.
Respondents think businesses should be doing more to reduce their emissions and take climate action.
The majority of respondents' purchasing decisions are influenced 'a little bit' (53%) or 'a great deal' (27%) by a business or brand's social and environmental actions. Once again there are differences by age and gender.
This presents significant opportunities for businesses and brands to embrace social and environmental actions, making it easier for consumers to choose their brand.
Local government
Generally, respondents would like to see us take action, be bold and lead the way to carbon zero, but confidence is low that Christchurch City Council is doing enough in this space:
- 18% of respondents agree we are doing enough to prepare for the local impacts of climate change
- 19% of respondents agree we are doing enough to reduce emissions from Christchurch
Awareness of our greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets has declined from 59% to 55% since 2022.
Perceptions of challenges
Respondents generally feel that climate change and climate action are important issues in Christchurch and need to be addressed, although other issues such as water pollution and contamination, violence in society, and the economy/cost of living are of greater concern.
Respondents think that the top contributors to emissions are:
- How we travel (46%)
- The waste we produce (45%)
- Deforestation (35%)
It is encouraging to see that respondents know transport is our biggest emissions contributor, and are aware of ways to reduce their household's transport emissions. Convenience and lack of alternatives were the most commonly reported barriers to behaviour change for respondents.
Take a look at our Emission Tracker(external link) to get a better understanding of our biggest emission sources.
Who's taking climate action?
Most respondents agree they feel a sense of responsibility to reduce their personal emissions and negative environmental and societal impacts (68%). This differed by gender and age:
- Women are significantly more likely to agree they feel this sense of responsibility
- Younger respondents are more likely to agree they feel a sense of responsibility
Recycling as much as possible remains the action respondents take most frequently to reduce personal emissions.
Actions around consumption, waste and diet/food were considered by women to have the biggest impact on reducing their emissions, while men generally considered their transport-related actions as having the biggest impact.
How prepared are we?
Respondents understand and agree that we all need to make changes to reduce the impacts of climate change, and it should be factored into our decision making:
- Almost two thirds (64%) of respondents feel knowledgeable about the things they can do to take climate action and reduce emissions
- 68% agree that they are prepared to change their own behaviour in order to reduce their emissions
Generally, respondents are willing to engage in behaviours and actions that work to reduce carbon emissions where these feel achievable and are easily integrable into their lifestyle.
The most common sources for obtaining climate-related information are online news websites, other websites and online resources, and word-of-mouth.
Climate action and business
Generally, respondents feel that the business sector has a role to play in taking climate action, but opinions are mixed about the commitment from the business sector and the transparency about what businesses are doing to reduce their emissions.
Respondents think businesses should be doing more to reduce their emissions and take climate action.
The majority of respondents' purchasing decisions are influenced 'a little bit' (53%) or 'a great deal' (27%) by a business or brand's social and environmental actions. Once again there are differences by age and gender.
This presents significant opportunities for businesses and brands to embrace social and environmental actions, making it easier for consumers to choose their brand.
Local government
Generally, respondents would like to see us take action, be bold and lead the way to carbon zero, but confidence is low that Christchurch City Council is doing enough in this space:
- 18% of respondents agree we are doing enough to prepare for the local impacts of climate change
- 19% of respondents agree we are doing enough to reduce emissions from Christchurch
Awareness of our greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets has declined from 59% to 55% since 2022.