CLIMATE CHANGE
CHRISTCHURCH RESIDENTS CALL FOR FASTER ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Christchurch residents have told their council they want action on climate change faster than the government has proposed.
While the government's Zero Carbon Bill sets the target of New Zealand having net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Christchurch City Council is aiming to reach that goal - excluding methane - by 2045, said council head of strategic policy Emma Davis.
"The feedback we have received from our residents showed they want us to take a more ambitious approach," Ms Davis said.
Last week, the council agreed to a plan that includes an interim target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
A goal of cutting methane emissions by 25 percent by 2030 and by 50 percent by 2045 was set.
"We were among the first councils in New Zealand to declare a climate and ecological emergency and it is important that we back that declaration up by showing our strong commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Ms Davis said.
In 2016 to 2017, Christchurch emitted about 2.5 million gross tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. That equates to 6.6 tonnes per person, which is lower than estimates for Auckland of 7.9 tonnes and for Dunedin of 11 tonnes, but more than Wellington's average of 5.7 tonnes per person.
Transport is the biggest contributor to Christchurch's carbon emissions, making up 53 percent of the total.
Ms Davis said everyone in the community would need to make changes to achieve the 2045 carbon neutral target.
The council hopes to save $1 million a year on electricity and to reduce its carbon emissions after LED street lights are installed throughout the city.
Work to convert all of Christchurch's 38,000 street lights to LED lights is almost halfway through and is expected to be completed by June 2021. This is being funded largely by the New Zealand Transport Agency
Christchurch city councillor Deon Swiggs said once they LED lights were all installed, the city's electricity bill would be slashed and maintenance would drop by about $600,000 a year.
LED lights used less energy and reduced carbon emissions, while making streets safer by lighting them more brightly, Mr Swiggs said.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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88.8% Yes, it's fair
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10.5% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
Cyclists forced to use ‘more dangerous’ crossing if cycleway closed
Closing a Christchurch cycleway to avoid an unsafe rail crossing will lead cyclists across an even “more dangerous” crossing, cycling advocates say.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has weighed in on the issue, calling the move to shut a 1.5km section of the Heathcote Expressway for up to two years, “illogical”. He has asked KiwiRail to explain.
KiwiRail is demanding Christchurch City Council close part of the expressway until $6.5 million worth of safety improvements can be made to the Scruttons Rd rail crossing.
It said the “unsafe” crossing posed the risk of death or serious injury once every thousand years.
What do you do think? Read the full story by reporters Sinead Gill and Tina Law here and tell us what you think in the comments. (A subscription is required, but you can see two free articles a month).
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