Choosing futures Waikato

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Greenhouse gas emissions Key points What agencies are doing What you can do to help More information What we want to achieve Key points Worldwide there have been developments in transportation, agriculture and industry. These activities produce greenhouse gases, and as a consequence the concentration of these gases in Earth's atmosphere has increased. The greenhouse balance has been upset and more heat has been trapped. The Earth has begun to warm and the climate to change. There is evidence of climate change effects, including raised temperatures and sea levels and the increased frequency of extreme weather events. Greenhouse gas emissions in the Waikato Region as at 2001 were highest in the Taupo, Waikato, South Waikato and Franklin districts. Overall the 12 territorial authority areas in the Region produce approximately 20% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the Region are natural (eg, geothermal activity), agricultural and industrial. Agricultural emissions contribute CH4 from the digestion process of farm stock, especially cattle. According to latest national-level results, New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2009 were 19.4% higher than in 1990. Estimated total emissions of six greenhouse gases by territorial authority, 2001 (estimates are reported in units of CO₂ equivalents using Global Warming Potentials published in the IPCC Third Assessment Report (TAR)) Source: NIWA National Centre for Climate-Energy Solutions New Zealand’s total emissions, net removals and net emissions from 1990 to 2009 Source: MfE, New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990–2009. Note: LULUCF = Land use, land-use change and forestry. What agencies are doing Information currently being collated. What you can do to help Information currently being collated. More information More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here. What we want to achieve The community outcomes we are seeking to achieve by reducing greenhouse gas emissions are: We reduce our reliance on non-renewable energy. Waste reduction, recycling, energy conservation and energy efficiency are promoted and are part of how we all live.