Completed – Emissions reduction strategy
This project was archived on 8 October 2025.
The Emissions Reduction Strategy for Kāpiti supports our work around the climate emergency (declared by Council on 23 May 2019).
The strategy was formally adopted by Council on Thursday 18 September. This new strategy will guide the district's emissions reduction focus over the next 15 years. It outlines the principles, pathways and partnerships needed to achieve our aspirational goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040.
Future Council strategies that address climate change adaptation, resilience and recovery will be developed in due course.
Vision
Our vision, set out in our Climate Emergency Action Framework (2021), is a thriving, vibrant and strong Kāpiti that has reduced its carbon footprint significantly, transitioned to a low-carbon future, and prepared for challenges and opportunities that come from responding to the climate crisis – in short, a thriving environment, vibrant economy, and strong communities.
The Emissions Reduction Strategy sets out how we can transition to more prosperous, healthier, low-carbon future in a way that maximises the benefits of reducing emissions for everyone who lives and works in Kāpiti.
Developing the strategy
We worked with mana whenua and the community to develop a high-level direction of travel (DOT) document to deliver to Council in December 2023. We then took this to the public for feedback in February/March 2024.
The DOT set out:
- where we are on our greenhouse emissions performance and climate change journey
- our proposed focus areas
- proposed pathways to rapidly reduce our district's carbon footprint
- how we can prepare with our community for a changing climate.
We worked closely with mana whenua to apply te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) principles and to ensure a mana-enhancing partnership is nurtured in our journey towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient Kāpiti.
Our work with the Climate and Resilience Think Tank also helped inform this work.
In December 2024, Council agreed to deliver the Climate and Resilience Strategy in phases, with the Emissions Reduction Strategy developed first. Strategies addressing climate adaptation, resilience and recovery will follow in due course.
A draft Emissions Reduction Strategy was released for public consultation in May/June 2025. In light of what we heard, Council approved the final Emissions Reduction Strategy on 18 September 2025.
The Emissions Reduction Strategy will be supported by:
- separate action plans, that focus on near-term actions (next 3-4 years)
Timeline
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Date |
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December 2023 |
Delivery of the Climate and Resilience Strategy - direction of travel (DOT) document to Council. |
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February 2024 |
Public consultation on the draft strategy as part of the Vision Kāpiti engagement hub. |
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December 2024 |
Council agreed to focus on developing an Emissions Reduction Strategy, with strategies addressing climate adaptation, resilience and recovery following in due course. |
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March–July 2025 |
Development of the draft Emissions Reduction Strategy, including public consultation. |
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September 2025 |
Final Emissions Reduction Strategy approved by Council. |