Hutt climate action plan launched
Today marks the launch of the Lower Hutt Climate Action Pathway Te Ara Whakamua o Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai – Our race against time Ka whati te tai, ka pao te tōrea, with the target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
A group consisting of mana whenua, local businesses, climate experts and community and Hutt City Council representatives developed the policy.
Mayor Campbell Barry says that collective action is needed to achieve zero carbon emissions in Lower Hutt by 2050.
‘‘Like many areas in New Zealand, Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt is facing a number of climate change challenges.
‘‘We are situated on the most densely populated flood plain in the country and our coastal communities are exposed to sea-level rise.’’
By implementing the policy now, the council can take action to put the city on a sustainable path to reducing emissions and ultimately, commit Lower Hutt to play its part in combating climate change, he says.
Cr Josh Briggs, chairperson of the climate change committee, says most of the emissions come from transport (petrol and diesel), stationary energy (power and heating), and waste.
The policy is a collective response to lowering emissions and sets out practical steps to achieving the target of net zero by 2050.
Action required includes switching to electric vehicles and shifting to alternative modes of transport, moving away from using fossil fuels to heat homes, and reducing waste, he says.
Chief executive Jo Miller welcomes the policy which outlines the steps that need to be taken now to reduce the city’s collective carbon footprint, to cut emissions and reduce the impacts of climate change.
‘‘It’s all of our responsibility to safeguard our place for future generations, treading more lightly on the Earth.
‘‘This plan sets out the actions we can take together to fulfill that responsibility so our city and people can thrive.’’
Lower Hutt residents and businesses can take part by making pledges with the steps they intend to take to reduce emissions at hutt.city/makemypledge.
What does net zeromean?
Net zero means that any greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere are balanced by removing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere, such as forests soaking up carbon dioxide.