Report Shows Stable GHG Emissions in New Zealand Since 2006

While gross GHG emissions increased between 1990 and 2021, they have remained relatively stable since 2006, even with population and economic growth. In 2021, gross emissions decreased by 0.7%, driven mainly by reductions in emissions fr om the agriculture sector.

The two largest contributors to GHG emissions in 2021 were the agricultural sector at 49% and the energy sector, encompassing transport, at 41%. Methane and nitrous oxide, primarily originating from agriculture, accounted for over half of gross emissions, constituting 43% and 10%, respectively. The remaining emissions were predominantly carbon dioxide at 45%, with a major source being energy and industrial processes.

The report emphasizes the noticeable changes in New Zealand's climate due to GHG emissions from human activities, which affect the environment, communities, infrastructure, Māori interests, and the economy. Rising temperatures have substantial implications for agriculture, energy demand, ecosystems, and recreation.

New Zealand has also experienced shifts in precipitation patterns, an increase in drought frequency, and record-breaking ocean warming. Glaciers are retreating, and sea levels around certain regions have risen twice as fast in the past six decades as in the preceding 60 years. The frequency of extreme temperature events has doubled, primarily due to human activities.

These climate changes have far-reaching consequences, impacting safety, security, residential areas, livelihoods, the economy, and overall well-being. Approximately 750,000 New Zealanders and 500,000 buildings valued at over $145 billion are situated in flood-prone coastal and river areas.

Major urban centers, culturally significant sites, cherished species, and food security are also at risk in these regions. Many sectors of the economy depend on natural resources, particularly water, which is highly sensitive to temperature and precipitation changes. The report anticipates an increase in the cost of responding to extreme weather events.

A central theme of the report is the influence of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems. Natural infrastructure, such as wetlands and native forests, acts as a defense against the adverse effects of climate change. Wetlands can absorb storm surges and provide protection against sea-level rise. Forests and floodplains connected to wetlands can slow and retain water during storms, mitigating flooding.

Human activities are contributing to biodiversity losses, raising concerns about reaching tipping points that could lead to substantial and, in some cases, irreversible changes. The report underscores the need to shift from reactive to proactive environmental reporting, with a focus on understanding climate change and planning for the future.

Moreover, the report's outlook casts doubt on the likelihood of the world meeting the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to lim it the global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels throughout the 21st century.