Climate Change - Actions

Wellington coastline

Under the Local Government Act 2002, New Zealand's local councils are required to protect the natural environment and ensure community well-being.

Wellington City Council is implementing measures designed to reduce its own carbon-footprint, as well as that of the wider city. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to managing climate change impacts and to leading by example.

Initial work has focused on asset management, hazard management and regulatory processes. This includes:

the capacity and design of the city's stormwater system
decisions controlling housing and infrastructure development in places susceptible to river and sea flooding, and areas prone to slips or coastal erosion
land-use decisions, such as forestry or farming, including management options for native ecosystems.

Our Long-term Vision

The Council has a long-term vision (Towards 2040: Smart Capital) to make Wellington an eco-city that can respond proactively to environmental challenges. The Council has also set emission targets in its Climate Change Action Plan.

Strategy and Plans

Council Initiatives

Bus lane - Lambton Quay

Wellington City Council's in-house initiatives over recent years have been in response to commonsense economic, social and environmental drivers.

Measures include strategies around transport, energy, sustainable buildings, and water conservation. The Council is also working to make sure that infrastructure will cope with the impacts of climate change expected this century.

The Council has introduced a number of community initiatives, and many businesses and residents are taking action.

Annual Report 2007/08 - Monitoring Information (75Kb PDF)
Resident Satisfaction Survey (February 2007) results (71Kb PDF)

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How You Can Help

To reduce emissions, we all need to work together collectively and individually. One way to reduce emissions is by properly insulating and heating your home and identify any energy efficiencies you can make.

As a resident, you can use the Government's Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme to get a subsidy to help with the costs of insulation and energy-efficient heating retrofits in your home.

Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart

You can also use the Home Energy Saver Programme to get an assessment of the energy efficiency opportunities in your home and get an action plan.

Home Energy Saver Programme

Learning to live sustainably is a personal challenge for everyone. By rethinking how we do things on an everyday basis, we can reduce our impact on the environment and save money.

25 Easy Steps Towards Sustainability - Ministry for the Environment website

Sustainability Trust

Home Advice Wellington - Sustainability Trust website

The Council supports the Sustainability Trust in delivering free advice on reducing power bills, making your home warmer, and applying for financial help.

The Trust provides free curtains for Community Services Card holders who don't already have curtains in their home.

Your Ideas

The Council welcomes your comments and suggestions - use the online form below:

Query & Comment Form

Overview
Strategy & Plans
Biodiversity
Open Space
Climate Change
Introduction
Impacts
Actions
Forest Sinks in Wellington
Links
Sustainability
Links