Our actions
Central and regional government policy settings
The Council’s work to improve transport in Wellington is highly dependent on central government funding and policy settings. They provide policy direction through the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport as well as the national Emissions Reduction Plan, and then funds transport through the National Land Transport Plan.
Current policy is not supportive of reducing carbon emissions from the transport system. The Government’s Second Emissions Reduction Plan identifies the key mechanism for emissions reduction will be the Emissions Trading Scheme. For transport, this raises the price of fuel, however without viable alternatives to private petrol or diesel vehicles, this increase in fuel price adds to the cost of living, rather than reducing transport emissions.
Regional policy settings remain focused on reducing emissions. This year Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) published the Regional Transport Emission Reduction Pathway. Goals include a 35% reduction in road transport generated carbon emissions by 2030 and a 25% reduction in kilometres travelled in a vehicle by 2035. Ideas mentioned in the plan that directly impact Wellington city include the development of a second bus spine in the Wellington city centre, the potential for congestion charging, and the need for traffic circulation plans and regional cycle networks.
The Council’s role
The 2024 District Plan enables more development capacity at greater densities across much of the city, to accommodate the expected increase in our population of 50,000 to 80,000 people by 2050. When combined with higher levels of public transport delivered by GWRC and the Council’s focus on active travel, this will reduce travel distances, increase public transport use and help reduce city emissions.
Investing in infrastructure
City transport projects are central to the Council’s work to encourage mode shift and reduce transport emissions, while delivering improved liveability, accessibility, safety, and resilience. Our most significant investments are to improve our transport networks. Significant progress has been made in both planning and delivering investments in public transport, walking and cycling.
Leading by example
EV First Fleet In FY24 battery electric passenger vehicle represented 67% of the Council’s fleet. The EV First Fleet renewal programme will replace the remaining internal combustion engine (ICE) utility and light commercial vehicles with electric alternatives as fit for purpose alternatives become available, with the aim to have the whole fleet electric by 2030.
Education and practical support
Better infrastructure is only one part of supporting the shift from high emission options such as cars, vans and trucks to low or zero emissions travel like public transport, walking and cycling. We delivered multiple initiatives including events and activations (including guided rides of new infrastructure), education, training and promotion, travel activities for schools and workplaces, and supported accessible journey planning.
Marine and air transport
Marine and air transport contribute 19% of the city’s emissions, and as a capital city of an island nation, our economy relies on both ships and planes to bring visitors here and to export and import goods. This is the first year we have calculated cruise ship emissions as part of our marine and air transport.