Climate projects
Organisational Greenhouse Gas emissions baseline profile
Environment Southland has developed an organisational Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions baseline measurement to understand the emissions we produce from our operations
This project will also establish the associated systems for ongoing measurement, reporting and management of GHG emissions.
Environment Southland plays an important role in climate change action in Murihiku Southland. While a lot of our efforts are in the climate adaptation space, for example the maintenance and improvement of the region’s flood protection network, measurement of GHG emissions is also important and a key step in our own emissions reduction journey.
You can read a copy of the Environment Southland Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline Report here. The measurement organisational GHG emissions will be carried out annually.
Organisational Net zero target
In April 2023, Environment Southland councillors adopted an organisational target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions being offset through actions like planting trees.
Regional Emissions Profile
Great South, Southland’s regional development agency, measures regional emissions annually and the most recent report Southland Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2021 shows there is a progressively downward trend, which is positive. This reduction in emissions is expected to continue as large-scale decarbonisation projects are completed and as coal use is progressively phased out.
Murihiku Southland currently contributes 9.2% of Aotearoa New Zealand’s net emissions, which is a reduction from 9.7% from the emissions recorded in the 2018 baseline year. Read more.
