Climate change  |  28 Jan 2021

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The Greater Christchurch Partnership is welcoming the Government’s announcement that is taking steps to reduce the carbon emissions from transport.

What the Government announced

  • It has agreed in principle to mandate a lower emitting biofuel blend across the transport sector. Over time this will prevent hundreds of thousands of tonnes of emissions from cars, trucks, trains, ships and planes.
  • It is committing $50 million to helping Council’s decarbonise the public transport bus fleet by 2035.
  • It is going to introduce a Clean Car Import Standard to reduce emissions and Kiwis’ fuel costs.
  • It is considering options for an incentive scheme to help Kiwis make the switch to clean cars.

In a joint statement the Chair of Environment Canterbury and the  Mayors of Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn say they particularly welcome the Government’s commitment to providing councils with $50 million to help them fully decarbonise the public transport bus fleet by 2035.

“Recent engagement with our communities as part of the development of a 30-year strategy and plan for Greater Christchurch for 2050 has highlighted people’s concerns about climate change and their desire to see more action,’’ their statement says.

“Transport is one of the biggest contributors to Greater Christchurch’s carbon emissions – in Christchurch city on-road emissions account for 36 per cent of total gross green house gas emissions.

“The four Councils within the Greater Christchurch Partnership – Environment Canterbury Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri – have been working together to implement a range of infrastructure and wider initiatives to help reduce transport emissions.

“We are working on providing more cycleways and improving our public transport system so that people have good alternatives to using private vehicles.

“We recognise that reducing carbon emissions in our urban area requires significant changes in how we travel around our local area.  We are committed to supporting our residents and communities to make this transition through the provision of good quality, low-carbon options for getting around. 

“Central government support in this endeavour is very welcome and we look forward to partnering with the government to deliver action,’’ the joint statement says.