Carbon negative public transport from 2027: Waikato’s ‘bold’ goal
A radical plan to achieve negative net carbon emissions from Waikato public transport from 2027 onwards has the tick from local leaders.
The goal – expected to cost between $500,000 and $900,000 a year – is objective one in the draft regional passenger transport plan 2022-2032, approved at a Waikato regional connections committee meeting yesterday.
And it’s thought to be the first of its kind in the country. The goal would be achieved through the likes of tree planting and the purchasing of carbon credits, along with a shift to zero emissions vehicles.
‘‘Objective one is quite bold but it definitely shows leadership throughout the region and possibly further,’’ said committee chairperson Angela Strange of Waikato Regional Council.
The anticipated carbon-related spend would come within the context of a planned public transport spending increase from $36 million annually now to $140 million in 30 years’ time to expand services in Hamilton and nearby urban areas.
The draft plan’s strategic project lead Andrew Wilson said negative net emissions from 2027 was ‘‘a very ambitious objective’’ but it was needed ‘‘to make a difference’’.
Queried on costing and what help could be expected from state agency Waka Kotahi, Wilson said there were lots of conversations happening nationally about transitioning to zero-emissions vehicles.
‘‘The writing’s on the wall for diesel buses,’’ he said, noting cost reductions and fuel price rises meant it was becoming increasingly clear that zero emissions vehicles would soon have ‘‘a clear cost advantage’’. On the cost of offsetting generally, Wilson said: ‘‘It’s a lot more achievable than I would intuitively have thought.’’
Waka Kotahi’s Jessica Andrew said there was currently no position on the organisation helping pay for carbon emissions offsets but she guessed it