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Plans, policies and reports
Plans, policies and reports

Keeping Auckland's future bright

Our long-term plan for a sustainable Auckland city

Contents | Introduction | The context | Themes of sustainability | Sustainability goals for Auckland | Implementing the plan | Appendices

Sustainability goals for Auckland

The following goals and targets reflect priorities for the council's future programmes on sustainability. They will complement existing programmes and initiatives and are the result of a gap analysis carried out by the council. Some targets are aspirational and require further work to determine relevant resource requirements. Most involve direct action by the council while others advocate other organisations and agencies to act in their areas of responsibility.

The following section contains 49 targets under the following four goals:

Image of Civic Building.
Goal 1: Auckland City Council will lead by example on sustainable management
People catching a train.
Goal 2: Auckland City Council will make it easier for Aucklanders to make sustainable choices
Goal 3: Auckland City Council will reduce the city's environmental footprint and nurture a healthy urban eco-system
People and bus in the city.
Goal 4: Auckland City Council will facilitate sustainable urban and economic development of the city, including sustainable transport

Some highlights are:

Auckland City Council - corporate targets:

  • achieve a 20 per cent reduction in waste to landfill (by 2011)
  • complete an organisation wide energy audit and then achieve a 10 per cent reduction in total energy consumption (by 2011)
  • assess total water consumption, then stabilise or reduce (by 2011)
  • achieve a demonstrable reduction in gross greenhouse gas emissions (by 2011).

Citywide targets:

  • improve air quality at key sites (by 2011)
  • help Auckland to achieve a demonstrable reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions from within the city (by 2011)
  • help Auckland to achieve a reduction in per capita consumption of electricity through vigorous promotion of energy conservation (by 2011)
  • achieve a demonstrable reduction in waste per capita to landfill (by 2011)
  • halve the 2005 levels of food and garden materials in household rubbish bins (by 2011)
  • achieve a 20 per cent increase in the recycled component of all domestic waste (by 2011)
  • seventy percent of new development in defined growth areas (by 2021)
  • achieve a 30/70 mode share - trips on public transport, walking and cycling /trips by private vehicle (by 2015)

A number of targets are dependant on the actions of other agencies including central government. Part of the council's role is to advocate strongly for responsible organisations to do their part in helping Auckland become genuinely sustainable.

Goal 1: Auckland City Council will lead by example on sustainable management

Leading by example will involve ensuring that sustainable practices and principles are at the heart of how we manage the organisation and deliver our services. A comprehensive review of the council's activities is required to identify opportunities for reducing the quantity of consumables used and minimise waste. Open reporting of the council's performance across a range of sustainability measures will be an important part in demonstrating our commitment to leadership.

All target dates are 30 June of specified year.

Themes Issues Targets Target dates
General management The challenge of becoming an exemplar requires a concerted effort over the next three years Implement a three year programme of action on sustainability 2011
The need for formal processes to achieve balanced and integrated decision making Adopt formal processes to achieve balanced and integrated decision making 2009
The need for a sustainability audit of all council policies Complete audit and alignment of all the council's policies against the principles and goals in this plan 2009
Assessment of the policies of organisations controlled by the council against the principles in this plan 2009
Leadership and advocacy The need to maximise our influence through leadership and advocacy Develop and implement a coordinated advocacy programme on sustainability 2009
Culture of sustainability To become an exemplar of sustainable management it will be necessary to build a culture of sustainability and the capacity to deliver sustainable outcomes in all parts of the organisation Implement the Corporate Sustainability Framework 2009
Employee engagement Employee engagement is a good indicator of organisational health and effectiveness Continuing high priority of engagement policies and programmes Now and ongoing
Diversity The importance of managing diversity within the organisation To maintain or improve policies or procedures that promote equality of opportunity for all staff Now and ongoing
Accountability and transparency The need for total performance reporting across all wellbeings Total performance reporting on all council activities (GRI 'B+' standard [5]) or equivalent 2008
Resource consumption The need for sustainability criteria for procurement of goods and services used by Council The development and application of practical sustainable procurement policies Now and ongoing
Waste The increase in waste to landfill Achieve a 20 per cent reduction in the waste to landfill generated by the council 2011
Energy The need for information about total energy consumption across the organisation and increased energy efficiency Complete an organisation -wide energy audit then achieve a 10 per cent reduction in total energy consumption across the organisation 2011
Water The need for full information about total water consumption across the organisation and greater efficiency in water use Assess total consumption, then stabilise or reduce 2011
Greenhouse gas emissions To lead the way in emissions reductions Adopt a 'road map' to carbon reduction including hard targets and specific methodologies 2009
Achieve a demonstrable reduction in gross greenhouse gas emissions 2011
Sustainable transport planning (including travel plans) for all parts of the organisation 2009
Buildings The need for information on building performance against Green Star rating Assess existing council buildings against a Green Star rating, or equivalent 2009
The need for a minimum standard for new council buildings All new council buildings and major refits to existing buildings to achieve a minimum 5-star Green Star rating, or equivalent, subject to also achieving cost efficiency 2009

 

Goal 2: Auckland City Council will make it easier for Aucklanders to make sustainable choices

Becoming a sustainable city requires action at a "grass roots" or community level including commitment from individuals and their communities to make sustainable choices. The council has an important role to play as a regulator and facilitator for community action that will make a real contribution to delivering a more sustainable future.

All target dates are 30 June of specified year.

Themes Issues Targets Target dates
General theme A sustainable future will come from a collaboration between public agencies and communities, and from individuals and communities making sustainable choices Effectively engage with the communities and organisations within Auckland to support and encourage them to make sustainable choices Now and ongoing
Auckland enjoys a reputation for a high quality of life that is vulnerable to emerging social and economic trends Maintain our reputation as a city offering a high quality of life by world standards by addressing issues that would erode this quality of life including advocacy to central government where appropriate Now and ongoing
Education Education about sustainability will help people to make sustainable choices in their daily lives Use a range of media and direct contact to provide information on sustainability to the people and communities of Auckland Now and ongoing
Public Health Poor living conditions and unhealthy lifestyles contribute to poor health Vigorously advocate more healthy lifestyles and help to make the city's environment safer and more enjoyable for physical activity Now and ongoing
Partnership with Maori Maori values and sustainability principles have much in common but a partnership approach is needed on the specifics Engage in conversations with local iwi on how to move forward together toward a sustainable future for Auckland city Now and ongoing

 

Goal 3: Auckland City Council will reduce the city's environmental footprint and nurture a healthy urban ecosystem

A city's ecological footprint is widely used as an indicator of environmental sustainability [6] and Auckland city's footprint extends well beyond its boundaries. This footprint is a theoretical measure of the city's demand for natural resources compared to the amount of land the planet needs to regenerate these resources and assimilate all the waste produced. In respect to the city's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, resulting from vehicle exhausts, industrial output, landfills, household heating and waste disposal, the city's ecological footprint reaches beyond the city boundaries and contributes directly to global warming and climate change.

In order to help global efforts to reduce the impact of climate change, the council will commit to reducing emissions across the city, including those from the council's own activities. This action will be the subject of a "road map" (with hard targets and specific actions) that will be reported to the council in 2008. The council has a role to play in working with the regional council and other territorial authorities in setting clear targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the region. A reduced emissions footprint will not only make a significant contribution to tackling climate change, but will bring the additional benefit of improving urban living through improved air quality and less environmental pollution.

Reducing our ecological footprint requires a proactive approach to improving the city's ecosystem. Our city's urban environment should be ecologically healthy and diverse, and an increased focus in this area will help bolster existing initiatives that are already having a positive effect.

All target dates are 30 June of specified year.

Themes Issues Targets Target dates
General theme The need for comprehensive information on the state of the city across all well-beings Expand the state of the environment report to become a state of the city report addressing all well-beings 2010
Biodiversity The need for a comprehensive biodiversity overview of the city to inform land use and biodiversity investment Compile baseline information and develop trend data for the state of biodiversity in the city 2010
The importance of healthy urban ecosystems in mitigating the effects of urban development and improving quality of life Ongoing investment in, and support for, environmental enhancements Now and ongoing
Encourage forms of development which protect and enhance natural indigenous biodiversity
Pollution Cumulative impacts of pollution from the city's roads, impermeable surfaces and urban development Continue to improve fresh and coastal water quality Now and ongoing
Coastal marine environment Rising heavy metal contaminant levels putting marine ecosystems at risk
Air Regular exceedences of healthbased guideline levels for air quality, the main cause being motor vehicles Improvement in air quality at key sites through a range of direct initiatives, collaboration and advocacy involving all responsible agencies and organisations 2011
Climate change Increasingly dire predictions of global warming Investigate with the Auckland Regional Council a 'road map' to carbon emission reduction including hard targets and specific methodologies 2008
Continuing increases in Auckland city's greenhouse gas emissions Help Auckland achieve a demonstrable reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions from within the city 2008
The need to plan and be prepared for unavoidable climate change Investigation of climate change adaptation issues and options 2009
Natural hazards The need for a natural hazard management plan Adoption of a natural hazard management plan 2009
Water Increasing water use per capita and slow uptake of design that works with and restores natural processes Manage reticulated water demand through vigorous promotion of water conservation 2009
Energy Increasing electricity consumption and greater reliance on carbon-emitting forms of electricity generation Help Auckland to achieve a reduction in per person consumption of electricity through vigorous promotion of energy conservation 2011
Waste Increasing per person waste to landfill A demonstrable reduction in waste per capita to landfill 2011
Halve the 2005 levels of food and garden material in household rubbish bins
A 20 per cent increase in the recycled component of all domestic waste

 

Goal 4: Auckland City Council will facilitate sustainable urban and economic development of the city, including sustainable transport

The council will work toward sustainable forms of development through its existing policies and programmes and through the goals and targets in this plan. It will expand its dialogue on sustainability with the business and development communities to seek partnership opportunities that will demonstrate best practice.

Several major transport projects are underway that provide an opportunity to improve the way the city works in areas such as the Tamaki Edge and Newmarket. The council will continue to push hard for rapid improvements to the regional metropolitan rail service and citywide networks through the transport strategy.

The council will encourage research and innovation as the building blocks for a new city economy based on sustainable principles and "green" production technologies. The Auckland Innovation Precinct at Tamaki is one initiative the council is leading to promote long-term economic sustainability. This goal, together with the targets and actions supporting it, will significantly increase our involvement in fostering a strong and sustainable economy.

All target dates are 30 June of specified year.

Themes Issues Targets Target dates
Waste The importance of substantially reducing waste throughout the economy A successful low waste economy (significantly improved productivity concurrent with significantly reduced waste) 2015
Economic development The need for a coordinated approach to engaging with business on sustainability Proactive engagement with business on sustainability Now and ongoing
The need to encourage and support business to develop sustainable products and services and to operate in a sustainable manner Encourage businesses to develop more sustainable products and services and to achieve sustainable management of their organisations
The need to raise awareness of the economic benefits and opportunities from the development of more sustainable products and services
Land use Existing growth patterns are not sustainable and do not reflect the the council's growth management strategy Vigorously promote the benefits of a compact city Now and ongoing
Address growth and sustainable development issues in the review of the Isthmus section of the District Plan 2010
Seventy percent of new development is located in defined growth areas 2021
Transport Auckland has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world Implement the sustainable transport programme Now and ongoing
Transport is the primary contributor to poor air quality and greenhouse gas emissions Achieve a 30/70 mode share (trips on public transport/walking and cycling/trips by private vehicular transport) 2015
Buildings Existing building stock is generally poor in terms of water and energy efficiency Vigorously promote the provision of more sustainable buildings and developments Now and ongoing
Support the adoption nationally of minimum standards for sustainable building design and rating systems for residential and commercial buildings Now and ongoing
Provide an eco-advisor service to developers Now and ongoing

 

[5] Global Reporting Initiative: A collaborating centre of the United Nations Environment Programme and developer of reporting guidelines and principles for public disclosure of organizational economic, environmental, and social performance
[6] Ecological footprints are measured in units called global hectares (gha). It is estimated that for every person on the planet there is an average of 1.9gha available. Typically, a western lifestyle requires between 5gha and 9.5gha. The World Wide Fund for Nature estimates that the current human footprint exceeds the planet's capacity to regenerate resources by 25 per cent.

Published May 2008