• Key points
  
• What agencies are doing
  
• What you can do to help
  
• More information
  
• What we want to achieve
  

Key points

In the Waikato region, vehicles, home heating and industry are the main sources of air pollution. This indicator estimates the proportion of carbon dioxide going into the air from each of these sources. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas. It's widely believed that increasing amounts of these gases is causing world-wide climate change.

• Industry is the main source of carbon dioxide in Putaruru and Te Awamutu.
• Motor vehicles are the biggest source of carbon dioxide in Hamilton, Tokoroa, Te Kuiti and Taupo.
• Domestic heating are the biggest source of carbon dioxide in Waihi, Matamata and Ngaruawahia.
• Domestic heating and motor vehicles contribute almost equal amounts of carbon dioxide in Turangi.

Source: Environment Waikato

What agencies are doing

• Environment Waikato provides information for householders on reducing air pollution from home fires.
• We promote vehicle maintenance and vehicle emissions testing.
• We encourage land use planning that minimises reliance on motor vehicles.
• We encourage the development of efficient and effective public transport.

What you can do to help

You can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by following these tips on car maintenance and use and home heating:

• Keep your car well tuned so that it burns cleanly and doesn’t create any visible smoke.
• Don’t remove any emissions control equipment from your car.
• Whenever possible, try to reduce your vehicle use, particularly during peak rush hour traffic. You could try carpooling, using public transport (trains, buses and shuttles), cycling and walking.
• If you’re thinking about installing home heating, consider using electric or flued gas heaters as an alternative to burning wood or coal.
• If you do purchase a solid-fuel burner make sure it is the right size to heat your home and find out about its efficiency and emissions rating.
• If you are burning wood or coal then the key to reducing air pollution from smoke is to burn small, hotter fires that produce less smoke. Check out our tips on using wood burners efficiently on our home fires page.

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 monitoring the source of carbon dioxide emissions to air are:

• The iconic landscapes and natural features of our environment define and sustain us. We respect and celebrate them as taonga.
• Our natural environment is protected and respected. Its ecological balance is restored, its air, soil and water quality is improved and its native biodiversity is enhanced.
• The traditional role of iwi and hapu as kaitiaki is acknowledged, respected and enabled.
• Our region’s waterways have consistently high water quality.