LOW EMISSION TRANSPORT

Transport is the biggest contributor to carbon emissions in Tāmaki Makaurau. By switching to public transport, carpooling, cycling or walking we can turn things around! Not only does it reduce your carbon footprint, but it brings people closer together, making the city more connected, inclusive, and livable for everyone. By prioritising low-emission transport options, Tāmaki Makaurau can pave the way for a greener, healthier, and thriving urban future. Let's ride, walk, and roll our way to a better city! 

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TOOLS & RESOURCES

Auckland Transport mobile app preview image

Auckland Transport mobile app

AT Mobile helps you plan and track journeys across AT Metro's bus, train and ferry services, by bike or on foot.

Auckland Transport Journey Planner preview image

Auckland Transport Journey Planner

The AT journey planner helps you plan travel on Auckland's bus, train and ferry services. You can also find timetables and fare information.

AT HOP card preview image

AT HOP card

An AT HOP card makes it easier and cheaper to pay for bus, train and ferry in Tāmaki Makaurau. Learn how to buy a HOP card in person or online.

Calculate your carbon footprint preview image

Calculate your carbon footprint

Take 5 minutes to find out your carbon footprint with FutureFit and see how you compare to others.

Use your
car less

Start saving money and see some quick health benefits by using your car less – even one day less makes a big impact. By switching to public transport, carpooling, cycling, or walking, you can reduce your carbon footprint in a big way. Plus, you might discover new places in your neighborhood, meet new people, and enjoy the fresh air more often. It's a win-win for your wallet and well-being!

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Take public transport one day each week instead of driving

Not sure what your best public transport options are? Bus, ferry or train, the Auckland Transport Mobile app and Journey Planner make it easy to plan your trip, or Google Maps has a public transport map too. By switching to public transport just one day per week you could save as much as $590 every year. 

Take this action and you could save 140 kg of CO2e emissions per year - that's like burning 57 litres of petrol.

Go by bike for your commute instead of driving one day a week

Auckland has a growing network of great cyclewaysBike Auckland have plenty of resources to get your wheels spinning if you’re new to it or haven’t been on a bike for a while, and Auckland Transport hold regular drop-in sessions on bike skills and maintenance. You could save over $800 by switching to two wheels!

Take this action and you could save 237 kg of CO2e emissions per year - that's like running the gas BBQ for two and a half days.

Carpool for your commute one day each week

If you don’t know who to travel to work or school with – there’s an app for that! Register at Smart Travel or download the app and find a match. Carpooling just once per week could save you 20% or more on petrol and parking costs. 

Take this action and you could save 237 kg CO2e emissions per year - that's like driving from Auckland to Timaru in a medium size petrol car.

Walk to do nearby tasks once a week rather than driving

Not only are you saving money and living lightly, you’re also going to get some fresh air and exercise – it’s a win-win! Think trips like popping out to pick up milk, getting dinner or going to the gym – choose one trip a week and work up from there. Make this a habit and you'll save over $100 annually. 

Take this action and you could save 60 kg CO2e emissions per year - that's like burning 28 kg of coal.

Replace your conventional petrol/diesel car with an Electric vehicle

The electric vehicle movement is growing fast in New Zealand, and once you’ve tried one you can see why! Low maintenance, no fuel costs, and a quiet ride. If you’re not sure about the whole idea of an ‘EV’, many of the big sellers such as Nissan, Hyundai and Tesla will take you for a test drive first to see if it will work for your lifestyle. If you would normally make these trips in a petrol engine car, you could save as much as $13,000 per year!

Take this action and you could save 1065 kg of CO2e emissions per year - that's like running 408 compact florescent light bulbs for 45 days non-stop.

Look after your car - check tyre pressure, motor oil, and driving smoothly

If you do need to drive, make sure your car is in top condition. Check your tyre pressure regularly, make sure you have the right kind of oil, and keep that driving nice and smooth to save up to $500 a year. 

Take this action and you could save 355 kg of CO2e per year - the equivalent embodied emissions from the production of 4,438 bananas.

Work from home instead of commuting to work one day a week

Working from home gives people the opportunity to avoid travelling in peak hour traffic. It may not suit all jobs or employees, talk to your manager to see if it’s right for you. Find out more about working from home and flexible working here.

If you usually drive a petrol car to work, you could save over $890 a year by cutting down on your travel and working from home one day a week.

Take this action and you could save 237 of CO2e emissions per year – driving from Auckland to Wellington in a medium sized petrol engine car 1.73 times.

Reduce the impact
of your flights

While air travel is an easy way to get around the country, and the only real way in and out, it’s also one of the biggest contributors to our carbon emissions. When you have to take a flight, offsetting your emissions is a good option, but where possible it’s even better to opt for an alternative. Traveling by train, for example, can be a scenic and relaxing experience, often with lower emissions. Buses are another cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. For shorter distances, carpooling or even cycling can be viable alternatives, providing exercise and reducing your carbon footprint.

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Plan your holiday within a four hour drive of home, instead of flying

We are lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, so let’s make the most of it! Swap out an international holiday for a staycation in Auckland, or sneak a weekend away and see some of the amazing things wider Auckland and New Zealand has to offer.

Take this action and you could save 3242 kg of CO2e emissions per year - that's like driving from Auckland to Wellington 23 times in a medium size petrol car.  

Use Skype instead of flying for your next out-of-town work meeting

Chat to your manager about the possibility of using Skype more widely across your work, and become a champion for it within your workplace. Less travel means more time to spend with friends, family, or ticking things off that to-do list. 

Take this action and you could save 286 kg of CO2e emissions - that's like burning 117 litres of petrol.

Offset your carbon emissions for any flights you take

If you do need to fly, it’s a great idea to offset the emissions produced by the flight by sponsoring tree planting via a credible offset scheme. More and more airlines are offering this as an ‘extra’ at the checkout for only a few dollars, otherwise use the My Climate flight emissions calculator to work out exactly how many emissions your journey created, and offset them right there.

Depending on the length of flight, you'll offset anywhere between 250kg CO2e and 7028kg CO2e - that's huge!

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