Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan

Visit Auckland Council's Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan.

The plan is founded on three key elements to drive climate action:

• an overarching Tāmaki response
• a focus on clear greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Gases emitted to the atmosphere which contribute to the greenhouse gas effect, in which more than the normal amount of atmospheric heat is retained in the atmosphere. These emissions include water vapour, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone, halocarbons and other chlorine and bromine-containing substances. reduction targets
• preparing Auckland for the impacts of climate change.

This approach reflects:

• the uniqueness of Tāmaki Makaurau
• the need to embed issues like equity, te ao Māori The Māori world, or the Māori world view. and a strong rangatahi Youth, younger generation. voice.

For the Auckland region this includes:

• halving emissions The production and discharge of something e.g. the production and discharge of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. by 2030
• reaching net zero emissions The total of a country’s/city's emissions across all sources, minus offsets from land use, land-use change and forestry. by 2050.

This key element includes a stronger focus on:

• how we will adapt to climate change
• taking a precautionary approach
• preparing for our current emissions pathway and the prospect of a 3.5 degrees warmer region.

The plan sets out eight priorities for climate action.

Key action areas are outlined within these priorities as well as key partners required to deliver on these actions.

We have taken a leadership role in facilitating development of the plan with specific roles and responsibilities around the plan’s implementation.

We can't do this alone. A rapid and fair transition requires collaboration and commitment from Aucklanders across the region.

We will be working with central government, mana whenua Hapū and iwi with ancestral relationships to certain areas in Tāmaki Makaurau where they exercise customary authority. , businesses and communities to deliver on the plan’s ambitions.

By working together, we have an opportunity to deliver a low carbon When the total greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere by the activities of a person, organisation or community are small. and resilient Auckland that is better for everyone.

The outcomes of this work will be open for public consultation in February / March 2021 as part of the 10-year Budget 2021-2031 (Our Recovery Budget).

Auckland’s climate is changing.

We are already starting to see higher temperatures, increased drought, more intense rainfall events and sea level rise. We expect more change over the next 100 years.

Climate change will impact on our communities, infrastructure, economy and natural environment.

At the same time, Auckland’s emissions are not decreasing.

In December 2020, the government declared a climate emergency - and is on a path to net zero emissions by 2050.

Auckland Council has also declared a climate emergency. We need to do our part in delivering the Paris Agreement targets to keep temperature increases below dangerous levels (e.g. 1.5°C).

Raising our ambitions in addressing climate change will also provide major opportunities and benefits to Auckland.

These include:

• cleaner air and water
• healthier communities
• better housing choice and places to live
• more accessible transport.

We made these ambitions clear in the Auckland Plan 2050.

Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan will help deliver the Auckland Plan’s high-level vision on climate change.

The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act provides a framework by which New Zealand can develop and implement clear and stable climate change policies.

Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan identifies and delivers the specific actions that are particular to Auckland’s situation and needs. It will also help us deliver on national objectives.

We are working with central government to ensure we take coordinated action to achieve our goals in the most effective and efficient ways.

Visit the Ministry for the Environment website to find out more about the act.