Mahi taunaki
Advocacy

In 2021 the Climate Change Commission’s advice to Government was released on its first three emissions budgets and directions for its emissions reduction plan 2022 - 2025.

Our submission to the Climate Change Commission encouraged them to be bold and to drive transformational change over the next 15 years, consistent with our own approach in Te Atakura - First to Zero.

Specifically, we had five key messages:

1. Be more ambitious in setting budgets.
2. Increase the speed and scale of the transport recommendations.
3. Prioritise the role of behaviour change.
4. Be clear that a significant increase in funding and support is required.
5. Recognise the significance of local governments’ contribution and role.

Wellington City Council's submission on Climate Change Commission advice – cover letter (210KB PDF)
Consultation question-and-answer table (340KB PDF) | Text version (580KB RTF)

The Commission’s advice is comprehensive and covers a number of the advocacy initiatives we set out in Te Atakura.

In response to advice from the Climate Change Commission, the Government is required to release a plan for how we will transition to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future over the next 15 years.

In late 2021 the Government released a discussion document to seek feedback and help shape its National Emission Reduction Plan, which was finalised in May 2022.

Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future: emissions reduction plan discussion document - Ministry for the Environment

Our submission included a cover letter from the Mayor and detailed answers to specific questions from the Government.

Wellington City Council submission on Te hau marohi ki anamata, Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future (572KB PDF)

On 17 July 2024, the Ministry for the Environment launched a public consultation on New Zealand’s Second Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP2), which details the Government's proposed actions to lower emissions in New Zealand during the 2026–2030 period. The discussion document sets out how emissions pricing, and the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme in particular, will play a central role in New Zealand’s climate change response.

Wellington City Council (the Council) has raised concerns about the heavy reliance on the ETS and forest planting, as well as the lack of central government support for emissions reduction in the transport and built environment sectors. The Council encouraged clarity on:

• how climate change considerations will be incorporated into the urban planning framework;
• alignment between the Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport and emissions reduction targets;
• investments in public and active transport networks for Wellington and other cities;
• accelerating the 'Building for Climate Change' programme; 
• recognising the emissions reduction benefits of supporting a circular economy model.

Our submission included a cover letter from the Mayor and detailed answers to specific consultation questions from the Government.

Wellington City Council's submission on New Zealand’s Second Emissions Reduction Plan - Cover letter and Consultation questions-and-answers table (581KB PDF)

Below is our submission on the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport's discussion document on pathways for achieving net zero emissions in transport. 

This discussion document is intended to inform the Ministry's input into the national emission reduction plan due for release in May 2022.

Submission on Hīkina te Kohupara – Transport Emission Pathways to Net Zero by 2050 (218 PDF)

We are working with our regional and national partners to improve transport throughout Wellington, especially public transport.

Though public transport is managed at a regional level, Wellington City Council continues to advocate for improved, affordable public transport options across the city.

In June 2021, the Government began consultation on a proposal to increase the use of sustainable liquid biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport.

Biofuels are seen as a way to reduce emissions while the transition to electric vehicles happens and to fuel forms of transport that are not easily electrified.

Wellington would benefit from gradually increasing the percentage of biofuel in all fuels sold, as well as specific applications of higher blend biofuels, such as in heavy vehicles, aviation, rail or marine.

The government announced in January 2021 that a clean car import standard would be introduced.

A target of 105 grams of CO₂/km by 2025 is being phased in through annual targets that get progressively lower to give importers time to adjust.

With the average vehicle in New Zealand having carbon emissions of around 171 gCO2e/km, this is another key move to reduce transportation emissions.

Road pricing could reduce congestion, make getting around easier, encourage more people onto public transport and reduce emissions.

This could be a small charge for vehicles entering the city at certain times of day.

In August 2021 the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee completed an inquiry into road pricing in Auckland.

As a result, the Committee recommended the Government pass legislation allowing all cities to use road pricing, as well as investigate providing for low-emission zones.

We will continue to advocate for the Government to follow the recommendation of the committee.

Submission on the Select Committee inquiry into congestion pricing in Auckland (199KB PDF)

Enhancements to the building code are the most important action we can make to ensure future buildings are contributing to our net zero carbon goals.

This is also a huge opportunity to:

• enhance health
• combat energy poverty
• reduce emissions
• create better homes and commercial buildings.

We continue to advocate for stringent building code improvements to see new builds reach net zero carbon by 2030 and improving existing buildings.

The National Built Environment Rating System New Zealand (NABERSNZ) is a system for rating the energy efficiency of office buildings – it's an independent tool, backed by the New Zealand government.

Commercial buildings use 21% of the country’s electricity, costing businesses $800 million per year.

With this system in place, buildings could significantly improve their energy performance by around 20-25%.

New expectations have been set for the public sector when leasing or building new office accommodation. This includes minimum energy efficiency ratings using NABERSNZ.

With Wellington hosting the majority of government office space this will have a positive impact on energy emissions over time.

We will continue to advocate for the use of this scheme across commercial buildings over 1,000 square metres.

Wellington's water system is the largest source of electricity emissions.

To improve our systems, we need to better understand them, and the best way to do this is through water meters. This has the added benefit of reducing water demand by identifying leaks.

The Council will advocate for a three waters reform that includes the measurement and protection of this resource.

Council has advocated for a waste levy increase nationwide, and supports the Ministry for the Environment’s recent expansion plan to increase the waste levy and include all landfills between 2021-2024.

Changes came into effect from 1 July 2021, and the levy will gradually increase by $10 per year, with facilities that are currently excluded being brought into the scheme. These moves will support the Council’s goal of reducing waste at the Southern Landfill by a third by 2026.

Product stewardship places responsibility for waste management and a product's environmental impact on all parties including:

• manufacturers
• producers
• retailers
• consumers.

Taking responsibility means a move toward a circular economy, where products can be reused, recycled or disposed of safely, reducing our overall waste.

Plastic packaging was included as one of six new priority products declared for regulated product stewardship in August 2021. This requires a product stewardship scheme to be developed and accreditation obtained.

This will have the effect of removing plastic packaging from our landfills as the scheme comes into effect.

We continue to work with developers around minimising waste on building sites. As a Council, we are requiring that all building work with a value of over $2 million submit a waste management and minimisation plan.

We also advocate for construction and demolition waste minimisation requirements to be considered and implemented at a national level.