Climate change

Porirua City declared a climate emergency in June 2019, and we launched a three-year Climate Change Strategy in December 2020.

We know that we need to act now, while thinking long term. We need to work with our communities to build a strong, just, equitable and resilient Porirua for the future.

The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tells us that

“any further delay … will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all”.

In 2022 the launch of the draft National Adaptation Plan and the Emissions Reduction Plan, signalled a focus in Aotearoa on reducing emissions and preparing for our changing climate.

Porirua City Council is committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and our Climate Response team is leading the implementation of our climate change strategy.

Our current focus areas on our path to net zero include:

• Reducing our emissions from waste and property;
• Optimising and changing our vehicle fleet to low emissions alternatives; and
• Being accountable by monitoring and reporting on our emissions.

We’re also working to better understand the impacts of climate change on our region so that we can prepare and adapt, through the Wellington Regional Climate Change Impact Assessment.

Our team will be working with Porirua’s communities to develop a longer-term climate action plan. The plan will focus on the Porirua we want for ourselves and future generations. Our diverse, youthful and compact communities give us opportunities to create positive change that is bold, innovative, energising and inspiring.

If you are interested in being involved in our climate action and/ or development of our plan, please email climatechange@poriruacity.govt.nz.

“What if it’s all a hoax and we’re building a better world for nothing?”.