Reducing emissions for home and business
People and businesses across Kāpiti are already taking action to reduce their emissions and build resilience to our changing climate. These efforts are helping to create a more prosperous, healthier, low carbon Kāpiti.
Reducing emissions can bring a range of benefits including:
- saving money through energy efficient technologies
- better health outcomes from warmer, drier homes and improved air quality
- more vibrant and connected communities
- improved profitability, innovation and business brand reputation.
By changing individual habits and taking small steps at home, at work, and in our community, we can reap these benefits and collectively make a difference.
A good example is the Paekākāriki Community Orchard and Gardens (POG) village-wide composting initiative, which collects household food scraps and turns them into compost for the community garden’s fruit trees. This initiative was kick-started by a 2019/20 Seed Funding Waste Reduction Grant from Council, and reduces the volume of food scraps heading to landfill to generate harmful leachate and methane.
Case studies
For more examples of Kāpiti groups and businesses that are taking action and seizing the benefits of decarbonisation, check out:
- Energise Ōtaki’s work to provide clean, accessible energy that’s good for the planet and the community
- Local businesses, such as Mills Albert and Dark Horse Coffee, that are reaping the benefits of sustainable practices and low emission technology. See more information about sustainable business in Kāpiti.
- Initiatives by the Raumati Technology Centre, Kaibosh and others, to reduce emissions and promote resilience as part of our climate action grants.
FutureFit
Check it out FutureFit to get an idea of the impact your lifestyle is having on our planet, and how your everyday actions can make a difference, and reduce your carbon footprint.
It's a simple, powerful and proactive way for individuals, households and businesses to engage with climate change – designed specifically for Aotearoa New Zealand. FutureFit includes links to resources on:
- reducing your transport emissions
- reducing your electricity use
- minimising your waste
- planting trees and getting involved in other ecological restoration to help with emissions.
Gen Less
Gen Less is website that looks at the opportunities we have every day to be more conscious about our energy use, and how we can use less. It's supported by the EECA | Te Tari Tiaki Pūngao (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), a government agency dedicated to mobilising New Zealanders to be world leaders in clean and clever energy use.
You’ll find loads of actions you can make that are better for your wallet, your wellbeing and the climate.
Pakihi Toitū o Kāpiti sustainable business network
Council has stood up a sustainable business network Pakihi Toitū o Kāpiti, which provides resources, regular newsletters and events, and case studies about local businesses that are reaping the benefits of low emission business practices.
Climate Action Toolbox for businesses
Government agencies and sustainable business organisations have worked together to develop the Climate Action Toolbox, an easy-to-use, free tool to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions.
The toolbox has been specially designed to support small-to-medium businesses, who make up a large part of New Zealand’s economy. Their combined efforts on climate change could have a significant effect on the country’s emissions.
Climate change: we all have a role to play
The Ministry for the Environment provides great resources at What you can do, including:
- what you can do about climate change
- case studies of what organisations are doing
- videos of climate change initiatives
- the roles and responsibilities of government agencies.
Check it out and get inspired!
Reducing your waste
Did you know that New Zealand families throw out about $560 worth of food each year? That's three shopping trolleys full! As a country, we throw away 157,389 tonnes every year, enough food to feed everyone in Kāpiti for nearly eight years! Our Rubbish and recycling section has all kinds of resources to help you with recycling, composting, and reducing your household waste.
Reducing your power use
Reducing your power use at home or work not only saves you money, but saves our resources, too. EECA has grants for heater and home insulation to low-income homeowners, and GenLess has lots of tips to save energy at home.
Healthy Home toolkits
A warm, dry home is more comfortable, more energy efficient, and much better for your health. Cold, damp and mouldy houses are uncomfortable, and can cause serious health problems like respiratory illness and heart diseases. It’s also more difficult and expensive to heat damp and draughty houses.
Our Healthy Home toolkits are available from our libraries, and will help you check how your home is performing for warmth and dampness, as well as improving the comfort of your home.