Decrease in emissions

New Zealand’s action to cut emissions is delivering results, says the Minister for Climate Change.

Data released by Stats NZ this month shows total greenhouse gas emissions have fallen to their lowest levels in eight years.

James Shaw, pictured, says: “This has been a long time coming, but shows what we’re doing is working. We just need to keep doing more of it.

“I’m proud that over the past five-and-a-half years we have taken more action on climate change than the past 30 years of governments combined.

“We are now starting to see the result of that work. If we keep pushing harder and keep doing more, we can make sure our emissions stay on a downward trajectory until they hit net zero.

“If we can build on the progress we have made in government and take more urgent action, then we still have a decent chance of avoiding the worst effects of climate change. Anything less than urgent action to cut climate pollution in every part of Aotearoa will not be sufficient.”

In the September 2022 quarter, seasonally adjusted total quarterly emissions decreased by 3.5 per cent. That was equivalent to 696 kilotonnes (kt) of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2-e) gases. 

Transport, postal and warehousing services emissions increased by 9.3 per cent and 118kt, which were driven by transport. This aligns with strong GDP growth of nine per cent recorded for this industry in the September quarter.

Total household emissions increased by three per cent and 61kt. Household emissions are dominated by private-transport emissions, which increased by 3.3 per cent or 61kt. 

Electricity, gas, water and waste-services industry emissions accounted for the largest reduction in emissions for the quarter, falling by 26 per cent and 522kt. 

Stats NZ says this result was driven by reduced use of fossil-fuel energy sources for electricity generation allied with a significant increase in the use of renewable energy  particularly hydroelectric, geothermal and wind generation.