Emissions

Despite contributing over 37% of New Zealand’s GDP in 2022, Auckland only produced 13.9% of its greenhouse gas emissions.

Over 60% of New Zealand’s emissions are produced by the primary industries, of which there is very small concentration in Auckland – in fact, only 7.9% of Auckland’s emissions stem from primary industry activity.

Auckland produced a similar proportion of New Zealand’s greenhouse gases prior to the pandemic (2019) as well – 13.5%.

As an urban economy with a large population, 25% of Auckland’s greenhouse gas emissions stem from households (mostly through transport), whereas for the rest of New Zealand it is only 10%.

Auckland also has a larger proportion of its emissions (28%) from manufacturing compared to the rest of New Zealand (10%).

Auckland has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions from 2007-2022 by 13.3%, more than the rest of New Zealand (6%).

The impact of the pandemic on Auckland’s greenhouse gas emissions was clear, down 8% in 2020 compared to the year prior.

The Auckland region’s Climate Action Framework, Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri, and the Auckland Plan 2050 prioritise the move to a low-carbon economy, with a target of net zero emissions by 2050.

A 2023 report published by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited as part of its Economic Insights Series shows that decisive climate action could deliver $22b of additional economic gain by 2050 if warming is limited to 1.5⁰C.