Report: Auckland Council - Low Carbon Action Plan
Auckland’s Energy Resilience and Low Carbon Action Plan
Toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata
July 2014
Auckland has a vision to become the world’s most liveable city. Energy resilience – securing sustained access to clean, efficient and affordable energy – and reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are critical to this vision.
A fast-growing population, climate uncertainty, scarce resources, volatile fossil fuel prices and dependence on imported energy are just some of the challenges and opportunities that call for decisive action and innovation.
Transport and electricity account for around two-thirds of Auckland’s emissions. Unless we intervene, our emissions could increase by 46 per cent by 2025 and energy use by 65 per cent in 2040. The Auckland Plan’s aspirational target is to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in GHGs by 2040 (based on 1990 levels).
To reduce GHG emissions emissions by around 5.3 million tonnes, Auckland must transform from a fossil fuel-dependent, high energy-using, high waste society to a mobile, quality, compact city. Low Carbon Auckland envisions a city with a prosperous eco-economy – powered by efficient, affordable, clean energy and using sustainable resources.
This action plan sets out a 30-year pathway and a 10-year plan that will guide the first stage of the city’s transformation towards this low carbon, energy resilient future. It identifies five key areas:
- the way we travel
- the way we use and generate energy
- our built environment and green infrastructure
- Zero Waste
- forestry, agriculture and natural carbon assets.