Kāpiti Coast District Leads NZ Local Councils in Climate Action

As early as 2011, the Kāpiti Coast District Council, located in the Wellington Region of New Zealand, began reducing its corporate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to mitigate its impact on climate change.

The council’s progress in climate action has earned it numerous accolades, including recognition in Toitū Envirocare’s 2020 rankings. This achievement was highlighted in CAP’s previous blog post titled “Kāpiti Coast District Council is NZ’s Model for Carbon Reduction.” However, the council did not stop there; it has continued its efforts to reduce carbon emissions further and combat climate change.

This blog post provides an update on the climate action initiatives of the Kāpiti Coast District Council, serving as a model for other councils across New Zealand.

In September 2022, the council conducted an informal survey, inviting all residents to share their views on establishing a target and plan to reduce the district’s greenhouse gas emissions. The survey results revealed that 75% of respondents are concerned or very concerned about climate change.

Additionally, 73% expressed significant concern about the impacts of climate change in their district. In comparison, 76% believe there are actions that the council, residents, businesses, and the Māori community can take to mitigate these impacts. The findings from the survey were presented to the new council in early 2023 to determine the next steps.

Sources of GHG Emissions for Kāpiti Coast District Council

The Kāpiti Coast District Council aims to fully understand the sources of its greenhouse gas emissions to develop an effective plan for reducing them. The first step in this process is to identify these emission sources and maintain transparency with the community regarding this data.

According to their website, 53% of gross emissions across the Kāpiti Coast district come from transportation (including road, rail, and air travel). Other sources include stationary energy, which accounts for 17% of emissions (from industrial, residential, and commercial electricity or gas consumption), agriculture at 15%, waste at 10%, and industry at 5%.

To accurately calculate and reduce carbon emissions, the district council has opted to be certified under the Toitū Carbon Reduce programme. Each year, the council collects data to estimate its annual emissions, which are then audited and verified by Toitū. If the results are accurate, the council receives ongoing certification from Toitū.

The Kāpiti Coast District Council has recently set new carbon emissions targets

On June 29, 2023, the Council adopted two key targets to align with Toitū’s requirements, as well as national and international best practices.

These targets are:

1. Achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.

2. Reduce category 1 and 2 emissions by an additional 15.5% from the 2021/22 baseline by 2032, building on a 70% reduction already achieved.

The emissions categories are:

• Category 1: Direct emissions from fuel use and natural gas.
• Category 2: Emissions from electricity, heating, and cooling.
• Categories 3–6: Indirect emissions from the products and services the Council uses (upstream) and from projects it delivers (downstream), such as building a transport hub.

On June 29, 2023, the Council adopted a Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan aimed at reducing Categories 1 and 2 emissions by an additional 15.5% by 2032. Over the next two years, the Council will collaborate with contractors to assess and establish targets for Categories 3 to 6, to be completed by 2025.

The website outlines the Council’s key actions planned leading up to 2032, as well as the actions that have already been implemented and the carbon emission reductions that have been achieved.

The Kāpiti Coast District Council’s ongoing commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions demonstrates leadership and responsibility in the fight against climate change. Through thoughtful planning, targeted actions, and a strong emphasis on collaboration with contractors, suppliers, and the community, the council is making substantial progress toward its ambitious emissions reduction goals. Their Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan and strategic targets for 2032 provide a roadmap for the council and set an example for other local governments in New Zealand to follow.

Learn more about Kāpiti Coast District Council’s climate actions by visiting their website. Also, check out our previous blog post on Kāpiti Coast District Council carbon reduction initiatives.