Between 2009 and 2016, Auckland’s gross greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased by over five per cent, while net GHG emissions reduced by one per cent due to increased carbon sequestration from forestry.
In 2016, Auckland’s gross GHG emissions were 11.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e).
Carbon sequestration from forestry, where carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in trees, reduced this figure by around 10.5 percent resulting in net GHG emissions of 10.1 MtCO2e.
Under a ‘business as usual scenario’, without additional action to reduce emissions, Auckland’s net GHG emissions are expected to increase by around 19 per cent by 2050 to 12.4 MtCO2e.
This is clearly at odds with Auckland’s climate goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
The ‘business as usual’ scenario reflects estimated population growth and growth rate assumptions across sectors and activities.
