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This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Effect on greenhouse gas emissions of extra bus services provided as a result of proposed Climate Action Targeted Rate'.

 
21 July 2022 
Official Information Request No.8140010224 
 
 (Please quote this in any correspondence) 
 
 
R Jones 
By email - [FYI request #19135 email] 
 
 
Tēnā koe R Jones 
 
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) 
Effect of extra buses on GHG emissions 
 
Thank you for your email which we received on 14 April in which you requested information 
about the effect on greenhouse gas emissions of extra bus services provided as a result of 
proposed Climate Action Targeted Rate.  
 
I refer to your email which we received on 18 May 2022, confirming a summary of 
information to our request for refinement. Thank you for your patience while we have worked 
on this response. 
 
The specific details of your request and our responses are set out separately below. For 
ease of reference please see table below which outlines emission reduction-related material 
responding to Questions 1, 3 and 4. 
 
1.  What reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. CO2) and car trips is expected 
as a result of the extra bus services funded by the proposed Climate Action 
Targeted Rate (CATR)?  
 
2.  Please detail what methodology was used to calculate this including any 
assumptions made.  
 
3.  Please also supply details of any increase in CO2 emissions from the extra buses 
in service as a result of the CATR.  
 
4.  Please include the time period that any numbers supplied relate to. 
 
 
Date 
Emission reduction-related 
File name 
 
R
  elated Note 
13 Oct 2021 
None - Workshop material didn’t include any 
(F&P) – 
content on estimates 
CATR 
Workshop 1 
24 Nov 2021  Workshop material Slide 23 and slide 24  Climate 
We provided an 
(F&P) – 
included assumptions on emission 
Action_24 Nov  estimate to il ustrate 
CATR 
reduction – See attached 
F&P_Final.pdf  the scale of the 
Workshop 2 
challenge and the 
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142  |  aucklandcouncil.govt.nz  |  Ph 09 301 0101 
possible impacts with 
different policy settings 
(which were not part of 
the current model). We 
highlighted the 
limitations in the 
current model and the 
complexity in 
modelling the transport 
system as a whole.  
2 Feb 2022 
Response to Cr Walker’s question in 
Action 
We have reiterated the 
(F&P 
quantifying emissions (See attached) 
Responses 2 
difficulty in estimating 
Workshop) – 
Feb final.pdf 
the quantity as noted 
Consultation 
in the 24 Nov 2021 
Doc 
CATR Workshop 2. 
Elected 
FAQ: What is the impact of the CATR on  Elected 
We have referenced 
Members 
emissions (P.7) 
Members’ 
the materials 
Handbook to  What is the impact of the CATR on 
Handbook 2022- presented at the 24 
support 
emissions? 
2023 Final.pdf  Nov 2021 workshop. 
public 
It is chal enging to estimate emissions 
 
consultation 
reductions as a result of transport 
interventions due to the complex nature 
of the transport system and behaviour 
change. 
The package’s focus on transport has been 
chosen as this is the area where the council 
can have the most impact 
on regional emissions while generating wide 
regional benefits and addressing existing 
inequity in the provision of 
services. Based on current modelling 
assumptions, it is estimated that the 
transport components of the package 
could reduce emissions by 47,000 tonnes of 
CO2 over 10 years. However, a number of 
additional transport 
interventions and policy settings are 
expected that wil  increase the emissions 
reduction resulting from the 
package. This includes policies and 
interventions, and changes to the wider 
transport environment such as 
congestion pricing, the Parking Strategy, 
increasing fuel costs and urban 
intensification, that encourage a shift 
from private vehicles to public transport, 
walking and cycling. 
 
Because of the complexity and the current 
uncertainty about broader transport 
interventions, we can’t be 
definitive about the emissions reductions at 
this time and therefore have not included 
this as a defined target in 
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142  |  aucklandcouncil.govt.nz  |  Ph 09 301 0101 
consultation material. However, the 
Consultation Document does describe the 
relationship between making low 
emissions transport options available, and 
the reduction in emissions this wil  facilitate 
through replacing private 
car trips. 
 
Regardless of any final emissions reduction 
number, the Climate Action Targeted Rate 
proposal is an essential 
component of the change that needs to 
occur to transform to a low carbon transport 
system that provides more 
accessible transport options for 
Aucklanders. The emissions reductions 
from the proposal wil  be relatively small 
in the context of Auckland’s regional 
emissions but are part of a bigger picture 
and are necessary to create a 
transport system that supports a just 
transition to a low carbon future. 
FAQ: How does this budget reduce 
regional emissions (P.7) 
The proposed investments in public 
transport and active networks seek to 
reduce transport emissions, by reducing 
private light vehicle trips. In Auckland, cars 
are responsible for around 30 per cent of 
regional emissions. This focus on urban 
transport options has been chosen as the 
area where council can have the most 
impact on regional emissions while 
generating wide regional benefits and 
addressing inequity in the provision of 
services. 
 
 
4 May 2022 
None - Workshop material didn’t include any 
(F&O) – 
content on estimates 
CATR 
Workshop 3 
29 June 2022  Response to Cr Walker’s questions in 
20220628_Follo We have referenced 
(GB) - 
quantifying emissions (see attached) 
w up from last 
the materials 
Adoption 
week’s 
presented at the 24 
workshop.pdf 
Nov 2021 workshop, 
the 2 Feb 2022 update 
to elected members as 
well as the content 
provided in the Elected 
Members Handbook. 
 
 
 
 
 
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Please detail what methodology was used to calculate this including any assumptions 
made.  
 
The emissions reduction was estimated using the Macro Strategic Model operated by the 
Auckland Forecasting Centre http://www.aucklandforecastingcentre.org.nz/ 
 
 
Decisions about this response to your request were made by Matthew Blaikie, Chief 
Sustainability Office. 
 
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of this response by the Ombudsman. 
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz 
or freephone 0800 802 602. 
 
If you have any questions please contact me at [email address] or 
contact me on 09 301 0101, quoting LGOIMA No. 8140010224. 
 
 
Ngā mihi 
 
 
Elaine Tunai-Po 
Privacy & Official Information Business Partner 
Governance Services 
 
 
 
 
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142  |  aucklandcouncil.govt.nz  |  Ph 09 301 0101