Transitioning to Low-Carbon Urban Form and Transport in New Zealand

Abstract

There is a growing sense of urgency internationally about cutting greenhouse gas emissions. If New Zealand is to continue to position itself as a truly sustainable nation, it will need to take radical and effective steps to reduce its transport-related carbon dioxide emissions. Even if New Zealand were not to take early action, it is likely that it would come under strong international pressure to stay in step with progressive countries. The government has recently committed, in principle, to cutting domestic transport related emissions by 50 percent by 2040, but it is not yet clear that the measures the government has proposed will get New Zealand to this target. This paper examines the policy opportunities provided by urban form and transport, arguing that these issues have been little explored to date in New Zealand in terms of their potential to reduce carbon emissions, and provide co-benefits such as health gains and cost savings. Ensuring that urban development and transport policies are highly innovative and integrated will be critical to the sustainability transition that New Zealand is now beginning to make, including the transition to low-carbon transport.