Auckland aspires to become a world class city. Reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are critical to this vision.
The Auckland Plan ensures our city tackles climate change by committing to a low emissions and low carbon future. That includes developing ways to become resilient to the adverse effects of a changing climate. Auckland Council’s Low Carbon Strategic Action Plan sets a target for Auckland to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in GHG emissions by 2040 (based on 1990 levels). Council is leading the development of a new Auckland Climate Action Plan, which will outline how our city will continue to reduce GHG emissions as well as to strive to adapt to a changing climate (this will replace the Low Carbon Strategic Action Plan).
In 2017 Mayor Phil Goff signed the Local Government Leaders’ Climate Change Declaration. This commits Council to developing and implementing ambitious action plans that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support resilience within Council and the local community.
Auckland Council and Council Controlled Organisations have made a number of infrastructure investments that reduce carbon emissions. These include double decker buses, electric trains, cycle ways, LED street lights and GreenStar-rated developments. Infrastructure projects are an excellent opportunity to reduce carbon emissions, however the way Aucklanders use this infrastructure is also part of the solution.