Christchurch City Council's efforts to reduce its carbon emissions have shown limited progress, and it remains uncertain whether the council will meet its goal of achieving net carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030. The council, which set this target in 2019 along with a broader goal for the entire city to become net carbon neutral by 2045, adopted its first Emissions Reduction Plan earlier this month. However, concerns have been raised by at least one councillor over the accuracy and completeness of the data underlying the plan.

A 2024 greenhouse gas emissions inventory report by consultants AECOM indicated that the city was not on track to meet its wider target, noting a mere 1% reduction in gross emissions since 2017. Similarly, the newly released Emissions Reduction Plan, focusing on the council’s internal operations, projects an annual reduction of roughly 2,086 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e)—comparable to the carbon output of approximately 290 New Zealand households. Despite this, total annual gross emissions are expected to rise rather than decline, remaining near 40,000 tCO2e.

The council has implemented several initiatives aimed at cutting emissions. These include joining an electric car-sharing service, installing and dimming LED street lighting, fitting solar panels at the Mataiki Hornby Centre, and replacing diesel boilers with electric heat pumps in multiple facilities. The council estimates these efforts save more than NZD 1 million annually. Council staff attribute the slower-than-expected emissions reduction partly to the city’s growth and the operation of new facilities such as the Pariakiroe community hub, which increases electricity demand.

Councillor Aaron Keown has expressed “zero confidence” in the emissions figures presented in the plan, criticizing them for excluding key data. He pointed out that the figures omit any projected reductions resulting from the activated sludge reactor being constructed at the wastewater treatment plant. This $140 million project, slated for commissioning in 2028, is anticipated to reduce emissions from wastewater treatment—currently responsible for 64% of the council’s total emissions—by about 75%. Keown argued that estimates of the reactor’s impact should have been incorporated into the council’s near-term projections.

Council staff responded that they excluded the reactor from projections because it is not expected to be operational before 2028 and that determining its emissions baseline will require additional time and measurement. Keown countered that an estimated reduction based on previous council advice would have been preferable.

Another area of dispute concerns emissions attributed to electricity consumption. Electricity accounts for 22.4% of the council’s emissions, but Keown contended that since most of it is generated from renewable sources, it should be excluded from the council’s carbon accounting. Bruce Rendall, head of council facilities and property, acknowledged that while much of the electricity likely comes from renewables, the council is connected to New Zealand’s nationwide grid, which includes electricity from non-renewable sources. He nevertheless said the council could promote the message that “almost all electricity is coming from renewable” sources.

The current emissions figures also do not factor in carbon offsets provided by council-owned trees. The council expects to verify and publish data on these offsets by the end of this year or early 2027, further complicating assessments of progress toward carbon neutrality.

Despite Keown’s calls to delay approval of the Emissions Reduction Plan until complete data are available, the plan was adopted with his sole dissenting vote. The plan outlines various measures intended to reduce emissions, such as expanding solar energy, reducing travel, minimizing synthetic fertilizer use, adjusting mowing schedules, and improving energy efficiency in council buildings.

Climate Liberation Aotearoa spokesperson Michael Apathy acknowledged the council’s efforts to reduce its internal emissions but urged a greater focus on lowering emissions across the entire region. He criticized the council for lacking a willingness to pursue substantial changes, including curbing flights at Christchurch Airport, which he suggested would have a more significant impact on the city’s overall carbon footprint.