Community input wanted on emissions target for Christchurch

Christchurch City Council will seek public feedback next month on what greenhouse gas emission target it should set for the city.

At its meeting today the Council approved a consultation document that asks residents whether they want the district to adopt the Government’s proposed emissions target or whether they want Christchurch to pursue a more ambitious target.

“If we go with Government’s proposed target we would be working towards Christchurch having net zero greenhouse gas emissions, excluding methane, by 2050 but as a Council that has committed to demonstrating climate change leadership we are open to taking a more ambitious approach,’’ says Acting Mayor Andrew Turner.

“We could bring forward the target year to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions to 2040, for example.  

"Another option is to set an intermediary target of a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions district-wide by 2030, which would then help ensure we stay on track.

“We want our communities to engage with us in this target setting process and to give us their views on how ambitious we should be,’’ Cr Turner says.

Consultation on the emissions target will begin on Wednesday, 17 July.