Climate Action: Latest emission reduction stats highlight areas to focus on

Stats NZ’s latest data release shows a steady reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per capita in Nelson, with data around increasing transport emissions endorsing the direction of plans such as the Active Transport Nelson Strategy and the Te Tauihu Regional Land Transport Plan.

The data on regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 2020 and 2021 (provisional) is the third set of data to be released in this series, making it possible to identify trends that show how and where we are being effective in reducing Nelson’s GHG emissions.

At an individual household level, the Nelson region was the smallest emitter at 1.2 tonnes of CO2-e per capita. As a comparison, total household emissions per capita (for all regions) was 1.6 tonnes of CO2-e per capita in 2021 and the highest emitter region per capita, West Coast, emitted 2.4 tonnes of CO2.

The data shows the highest source of industry emissions in Nelson is the primary industries sector, which comprises of agriculture, forestry and fishing emissions. Nelson’s household GHG emissions from transport for 2021 increased by 15% compared with 2020. Private transport is the highest source of Nelson’s emissions in the household sector, making up 90% of total household emissions. This figure has been consistent across the last six years of emission data.

While the trend is heading in the right direction, Council acknowledges the need to make more rapid reductions to all of our greenhouse gas emissions, in particular transport emissions. Key documents such as the Active Transport Nelson Strategy and the Te Tauihu Regional Land Transport Plan contain ambitious targets to reduce kilometres travelled by vehicles and to increase public transport, walking and cycling. 

Stats NZ has revised its methodology for collecting and reporting to improve the data collected. For example, the method used to allocate household road transport emissions to specific regions has been improved to account for fuel types and marine recreation. Despite the revisions, the data still shows a steady reduction trend for emissions per capita in the Nelson region.

Council has a number of climate change projects underway. You can read about them here: nelson.govt.nz/climate-action-plan

For more information see: stats.govt.nz/information-releases/greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-region-industry-and-household-year-ended-2021