Climate change is set to become the most disruptive force we will face in the future – necessitating a change in the way we live, consume resources and use energy. The less action we take now to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, the more insecure our children’s, and their children’s future will be.
The impetus for this strategy is the need for the Wellington region to play its part in achieving our national emission reduction goals – net zero in long-lived greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 2050. Road transport is one of our largest sources of GHGs, responsible for about 17% of national gross emissions and 39% of total domestic CO2 emissions.
The pathway for achieving our nationally determined contribution and net zero emissions by 2050 is set out in the national Emissions Redution Plan (ERP) 2022-2025. This plan requires all tier 1 urban areas in New Zealand to develop a programme setting out how they will contribute to the goal to reduce transport emissions by 41 percent by 2035 (from 2019 levels.)
This Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway for the Wellington Region (WTERP) is based on the foundation provided by the ERP and the Ministry of Transport’s Decarbonising Transport Action Plan 2022-2025.
Targets and focus areas of this pathway
This pathway has two primary targets to achieve through the three focus areas:
• Target 1 – Reduce all road transport-generated carbon emissions by 35% by 2030 against a 2018
baseline (Regional Land Transport Plan goal)
• Target 2 – Reduce per capita light vehicle VKT by 25% by 2035 compared to 2019 baseline (national
Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) derived goal).
Three focus areas of this pathway:
- Make it easier to access the things we need without a car (light vehicle VKT reduction)
- Support the shift to zero emissions vehicles
- Encourage low emissions freight and heavy transport options
What does this pathway aim to do?
This pathway sets out the things we need to do, at all levels of government and community, to reduce
transport emissions by 41 percent by 2035, on the path to net zero emissions (across all sectors) by 2050.
But this isn’t just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By implementing the pathway, we will help our region’s communities to be more resilient and connected, and able to thrive in the face of the challenges to come.
Building towards a low-carbon, more resilient future
A region that enables people to move around and access the things they need in everyday life without the necessity of using a private vehicle will not only be more resilient and contribute to climate goals, but will also contribute to healthier, more active lives, more community connectedness and thriving local communities and economies. On a practical level is is also likely to save people money, especially as fuel costs and the costs associated with car ownership increase. If this pathway is implemented in its fullest, this will not only mean that we can contribute towards meeting our country’s national goals and international climate obligations, it would also mean a regional more liveable for its residents.
