Tauranga City Council is committed to doing its part in limiting global warming and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
Council is committed to reducing its impact on the climate and work is underway to make our everyday operations more efficient, ensure our carbon emissions are reducing, and save costs in the long-term.
Where do TCC’s emissions come from?
Energy and carbon intensive activities at TCC are:
| Activity |
tCO2eq |
% share |
| Wastewater |
5358.32 |
57% |
| Electricity |
2337.16 |
25% |
| Freight |
457.85 |
5% |
| Diesel and petrol (TCC fleet) |
432.92 |
5% |
| Natural gas |
399.55 |
4% |
| Air travel |
138.03 |
1% |
| Diesel stationary combustion |
99.02 |
1% |
| Waste to landfill |
98.88 |
1% |
| Refrigerants |
53.04 |
1% |
How is TCC measuring progress?
TCC has committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This means an average reduction in emissions by 4.2% per year for our Scope 1 & 2 operational emissions (excludes City Waters). This target is set using the methods and guidance in line with the Paris Agreement and New Zealand’s Zero Carbon Act.
TCC submits its corporate emissions inventory to be audited on an annual basis. The first inventory was submitted for the 2018/2019 financial year (FY19). Audit results over the past years show that TCC’s corporate emissions from its operations have decreased significantly since FY19.
In FY23, TCC’s total emissions (Scope 1 & 2) – including the aquatic facilities, community centres and halls falling under BVL, Bay Venues Limited – were 1,631 tonnes, which means around 33% reduction from FY19.
City Waters operations emitted 7,380 tonnes of carbon (Scope 1 & 2) emissions in FY23, which means around 28% reduction from FY19. The team has also developed a baseline for embodied emissions of capital projects in the LTP and work is underway to develop targets and processes to integrate carbon impact assessments in the capital project delivery.
What has TCC done so far to reduce its emissions?
Energy and carbon saving projects that we have already rolled out as an organisation include:
- replacing traditional streetlights with LEDs.
- completing energy efficiency initiatives within our water supply and wastewater operations
- diverting biosolids from landfill by sending them for vermicomposting.
- bringing EVs into the TCC vehicle fleet.
- extending solar capacity at the Mount Beachside Holiday Park
- LED replacements and AC upgrades at Baycourt Community & Art Centre.
What other projects are planned to reduce TCC’s emissions?
Initiatives that are being investigated to reach the net zero target include:
- dimming of streetlights in appropriate areas of the city
- installing solar panels at feasible TCC and Bay Venues sites.
- phasing out natural gas usage at cemeteries and Mount Beachside Holiday Park
- continuing energy efficiency projects across assets and operations.