This past winter has been Wellington’s wettest on record, and an increase in rainy days is going to be the new normal as climate change impacts our lives.
Wellingtonians have repeatedly told Wellington City Council they want action on climate change, so the Council adopted Te Atakura – First to Zero blueprint in 2019. The goal is to more than halve our emissions by 2030 and make Wellington city a net zero carbon capital by 2050.
Since the launch of the strategy, the city has been taking action with a range of initiatives already in motion, says Wellington City Council First to Zero Principal Advisor Pip Wheaton.
“There’s a lot of change happening within the city, including big structural changes, the new bike network and transport initiatives through Let’s Get Wellington Moving, where we’re working alongside Waka Kotahi and Greater Wellington Regional Council. There’s a range of community-led action, which we support through the Climate and Sustainability fund, and business-led action supported by the Active Workplace Transport Fund.
“We’ve also done a lot of research to better understand how climate change will impact the city’s hazards, which has been included within the proposed district plan. Many different parts of the Council are working on solutions, together with Wellingtonians. It’s the joint effort across the city that counts.”