Making small changes at home and in your community can reduce greenhouse gases, protect our climate, and save you money.
Climate change is a global problem
Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise, and our climate is changing. At the current rate, the average global temperature is likely to be 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels within the next 10 to 30 years.
Read the report Our atmosphere and climate 2020 – Ministry for the Environment website
You can help tackle climate change
Tackling climate change can start at home. Here are some ideas for you to check out and share with your whānau and neighbours.
- Turn your food and garden waste into compost. It reduces the amount of rubbish that goes to landfill, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduce your food waste. Use leftovers and store food to keep it fresh.
Love Food Hate Waste New Zealand – WasteMINZ, local government, and Ministry for the Environment - Reduce, reuse, and recycle. It helps conserve energy by reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing, and disposal. For recycling and disposal guidance in your area contact your local council.
- Eat seasonal and local food. This reduces emissions generated from food preparation and delivery.
- Plant trees in your garden or plant a community garden. Visit your local council or suburb’s Facebook page for details.
- Use public transport, walk or ride your bicycle, if you can.
- An insulated home retains heat and requires less electricity to keep warm. Look into the Government’s Warmer Kiwi Homes programme for subsidies on insulation costs and heat pumps.
Warmer Kiwi Homes – EECA website - Use energy-efficient lighting. You could switch to LED lighting or start a “lights off' challenge with your kids to save energy.
- Calculate your carbon footprint, and how you compare to the New Zealand and global averages.
Use the FutureFit calculator – futurefit.nz website - Get other tips on living a lower carbon lifestyle, including changes you can make for free.
How to live a lower carbon lifestyle – GenLess website
Emissions Trading Scheme
The Emissions Trading Scheme helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand by charging some sectors of the economy for the greenhouse gases they emit. The Emissions Trading Scheme is the government’s main tool for responding to climate change.
We administer the Emissions Trading Scheme, ensure compliance, and provide reports and information about the market. We also operate the NZ Emissions Trading Register, where transactions take place.