Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP)

About the Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP)

The Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP) was endorsed by Auckland Transport’s board and adopted by Auckland Council in August 2022.

The TERP gives effect to Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri’s (Auckland's Climate Plan) target to halve Auckland’s regional emissions by 2030 (against a 2016 baseline).

It sets out:

• what needs to happen to reduce Auckland's transport emissions by 64 per cent by 2030
• what it will look like when we get there
• to identify the potential barriers to achieving it.

The TERP provides formal direction that Auckland Council and Auckland Transport must follow in all of their activities. This includes updates of key planning and funding documents such as:

• the Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP)
• the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP).

Read the TERP documents

Transport emissions are Auckland's largest source of climate-changing pollution

In December 2020, the New Zealand government declared a climate emergency - and is on a pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.

Auckland’s transport system accounts for just over 40 per cent of the city's total emissions. Aucklanders have one of the highest transport emissions per capita (person) in the world.

To halve transport emissions in Auckland by 2030, it is crucial that we make significant changes to the way we travel.

Transforming our transport system

The TERP sets out 11 areas for transforming Auckland's transport system and land use planning that align with the government's Emissions Reduction Plan.

They are:

• making walking and cycling safer, easier and more accessible
• using public transport much more
• prioritising and resourcing sustainable transport
• reducing travel where possible and appropriate
• making neighbourhoods safer with less traffic
• putting things closer to where people live
• using vehicles powered by electricity
• enabling new transport options
• using low emission buses, trains and ferries
• making freight and services cleaner and more efficient
• helping Aucklanders make sustainable transport choices.

While the targets set out in the government’s Emissions Reduction Plan are at a national level and the numbers in the TERP are specific to Auckland, their focus and actions are well aligned.

Global comparisons

Other cities around the world are also transforming their transport systems to help avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Evidence shows that many of these cities have significantly reduced their emissions while making their transport systems more efficient, sustainable and safe for everyone.