Transport emissions plummet

Annual household transport emissions tumbled by 26 per cent in 2020, when compared with the previous year, as a result of restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The category was a key driver in the overall carbon footprint of households, which reflects the emissions embodied in consumption and lifestyle choices, fell 6.3 per cent, or by 2,677 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Figures from Stats NZ show household transport emissions fell by 4,019 kilotonnes to 11,188 kilotonnes in 2020 but still made up 28 per cent of the carbon footprint of households.

Transport emissions, which includes emissions from extraction, refining, and transport of fuel, as well as household use of commercial transport modes including air, water, and rail, buses, and taxis, dropped 43 per cent or 3,077 kilotonnes.

Direct household transport emissions, largely resulting from household use of fuel in road transport, fell by 12 per cent or 941 kilotonnes.

Kate Augustine, environmental-economic accounts insights analyst at Stats NZ, says: “Prior to Covid-19, household transport was the largest contributor to the household carbon footprint, but following pandemic lockdowns and associated border restrictions, transport emissions fell and contributed a similar proportion as food and non-alcoholic beverages.” 

The other main contributors to household consumption-based emissions were food and non-alcoholic beverage emissions, which increased 5.7 per cent or 596 kilotonnes, and housing and household utilities emissions, which rose 3.8 per cent or 204 kilotonnes.

Stats NZ says households are the largest contributor to New Zealand’s total carbon footprint and account for 69 per cent of emissions.