Te huringa o te āhuarangi, te hōtaka mō ngā putanga haukino Climate change — emissions work programme

The Government is seeking feedback on options to accelerate the transport sector to meeting the draft advice and recommendations of the Climate Change Commission, and moving to a net zero carbon transport system by 2050. 

The Ministry of Transport’s ‘Hīkina te Kohupara – Kia mauri ora ai te iwi - Transport Emissions: Pathways to Net Zero by 2050’ sets out potential pathways and policies to phase out emissions across the transport system. The discussion document does not represent Government policy.

Eliminating emissions across the transport sector supports the response to climate change. The transport sector currently produces 47 per cent of CO2 emissions, and between 1990 and 2018, domestic transport emissions increased by 90 per cent.

We are doing targeted consultation on Hīkina te Kohupara. Full public consultation on initiatives to reduce transport emissions will follow in the 2nd half of 2021.

We welcome feedback on this discussion document from groups who have a strong interest in the transition to a zero-carbon transport system, including:

• Business associations / networks
• Community groups and NGOs
• Iwi
• Local government agencies
• Members of academic institutions 

All members of the public will be given the opportunity to provide feedback on Government initiatives to reduce transport emissions when the Government releases a draft Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) for consultation in the 2nd half of 2021. The ERP will include a transport chapter, based on content from Hīkina te Kohupara.

We are following this two-step consultation process to get rapid feedback on options to reduce transport emissions, before refining these for inclusion in the transport chapter of the all-of-government ERP. 

The Beehive press release is available here (external link)

Submissions have now closed. 

Submissions closed 5pm Friday 25 June 2021.

We may publish a summary of submissions. If you do not want your name or identifying information to be included, please note the reasons why at the end of your submission. This will be taken into account when we respond to any Official Information Act requests that cover your submission. If you are planning to make a submission via an online petition page or other automated platform, please contact us first to ensure your submission is accurately identified and collected.

The major part of the work programme is the development of the Transport Emissions Action Plan (TEAP). This will be our strategic plan for how New Zealand could reduce its transport emissions. It will be the basis of the transport section in the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan for the 2022–25 emissions budget.

Transport is one of 5 sectors the first emissions reduction plan focuses on. It accounts for 21% of New Zealand’s annual greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest growing source of emissions. Between 1990 and 2018, road transport emissions increased by 100%, while emissions across the whole economy increased by 24%.

The TEAP will be finalised by June 2021.

This project looks at the role alternative fuels — electricity, green hydrogen and biofuels — could play in reducing emissions from heavy road freight vehicles. We released a strategic working paper in May 2020 for public comment. This paper and its feedback will inform future policy development.

Green Freight Project

New Zealand is working through its accession to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention, MARPOL Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships. It is also the platform for IMO action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, with further measures set to be adopted in 2023.

The Select Committee treaty examination has been completed and we expect to engage with stakeholders between July and October 2020.

MARPOL Annex VI Treaty 

International aviation and maritime are major sources of emissions. Although they do not count as part of New Zealand’s emissions profile, the Ministry for the Environment estimates that if they did then international aviation would be responsible for 16% of transport emissions and  international maritime for 5%.

As part of New Zealand’s effort to reduce international aviation emissions, we will participate in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Legislation for this is being drafted as part of Civil Aviation Bill. Subject to government priorities, the Bill may be passed in mid-2021.

We are also working with like-minded countries to implement the IMO’s Initial Strategy on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Reducing greenhouse gases from ships(external link)

CORSIA

The emissions from light vehicles we drive, are the largest source of transport emissions, accounting for nearly 70%.  We need to reduce light vehicle emissions if carbon dioxide emissions are to reach net zero.

Encouraging people to buy low-emission vehicles is crucial as New Zealanders tend to hold on to their vehicles for longer than people in other countries. An average new vehicle entering the country in 2020 will not be scrapped until around 2040, locking in significant emissions over its lifetime. The Clean Car Reforms were developed to address this.

Low-income households have fewer resources and choices to reduce their transport carbon footprints. One solution could be to lease low emission vehicles rather than to own them. To investigate this, we are exploring a pilot social leasing scheme for low-emission vehicles.

Clean Cars

Electric Vehicles Programme