Final response 8140014364.pdf

      25 September 2024
Official information request 8140014364
(Please quote this in any correspondence)

Rob
By email: [FYI request #28071 email]

Tēnā koe Rob

Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
Re: Sustainability Initiatives

Thank you for your email dated 16 August 2024, in which you requested information about the
4 case studies highlighted in the Our Auckland article. The specific details of your request and
our response are below.

Please provide for the 4 case studies highlighted in this article
https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2024/08/ac-sustainability/

- business cases
- cost benefit analysis
- financial analysis supporting the decision to make investment

As the article states, we are committed to achieving environmental and social sustainability
through meaningful climate action to reach our climate goal. These goals and targets are
part of Auckland’s Climate Plan, and we would like to be seen to be leading by example.

Auckland’s Climate Plan, Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri, adopted by Auckland Council in 2020 sets
targets to halve regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero
emissions by 2050. Auckland Council’s Long-Term Plan set similar targets for Auckland
Council’s operations, halving direct GHG emissions (scope 1 & 2) from Council operations
by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

This corresponds to a more recently established science-based target for Auckland Council’s
halving direct GHG emissions (scope 1 & 2) from Council operations by 2030.
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |  aucklandcouncil.govt.nz  | Ph 09 301 0101

Auckland Council GHG emissions by
Waste
department FY22
Solutions
2%
Other
AIMS
3%
6%
Fleet
7% Corporate
Property
8%
Parks &
Community
Facilities
74%

Figure 1

Auckland Council’s significant emissions sources are natural gas for heating buildings and
aquatic centres, electricity consumption primarily in buildings, methane and nitrous oxide
emissions from sheep and cattle on Regional Parks and petrol and diesel used in our
vehicles. A breakdown is shown in figure 2.

Figure 2

To halve GHG emissions by 2030, Auckland Council is targeting reductions from our largest
emissions sources. This includes emissions from the natural gas use for heating aquatic
centres, the corporate property portfolio, and the corporate vehicle fleet.

Alongside Auckland Council actions, Central Government is targeting a fully renewable
electricity grid by 2030. This wil  reduce the 22% of Auckland Council’s GHG emissions that
are related to electricity consumption. As wil  central government actions to phase out
refrigerants with a high global warming potential.

Implementing Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan

This is an overview of the actions within the plan, roles and timelines. It is our pathway to
meet our climate goals and on-going discussions are underway with partners in the region to
support the delivery of this plan.

The council’s role in the delivery of the plan

Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |  aucklandcouncil.govt.nz  | Ph 09 301 0101

•
Direct control: lead by example, deliver services, deliver infrastructure and
facilities.
•
Lever: plan, monitor, review, regulate, research.
•
Advocate: inform and influence.

The cost of Auckland Council’s contribution to deliver on the region’s climate commitments
wil  be considered within its long-term plan.

Prioritisation in delivery of the plan focuses on five key areas, in the immediate term, to keep
us on track to meet our climate goals.
  •  Maximise and support the system shifts we are already seeing from the COVID-19
pandemic, with a focus on Te Ora ō Tāmaki Makaurau, the wellbeing of Tāmaki
Makaurau.
•  Ensure we maintain and accelerate action in areas where any short-term delay
would result in exceeding of our carbon budget.
•  Avoid decisions that lock us into high emissions and low climate resilience and
ensure the right policy and strategy levers are in place to support good decision
making.
•  Focus on the resilience of our communities and our businesses, underpinned by a
healthy natural environment.
•  Establish partnerships to co-deliver our climate goals.

Business Cases and Analysis

The work delivering the replacement assets was undertaken by the Parks and Community
Facilities department at suitable locations and where studies indicated effective carbon
reduction and potential cost savings could be achieved.

Based on the initial success council is developing a programme to phase out gas usage at
swimming pools based on the age and condition of gas boilers at the sites and to install solar
panels where there are large roof areas available for solar installations.

Some further information for each project is below.

Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Gas boiler replacement

Total project costs for boiler replacement were $607,003.
In the first twelve months CO2e emissions reduced by 307 tonnes and achieved $109,918 of
savings from operational utility spending.

Please refer to the attached business case and Year One measure and verification report.

Laurie Gibbons Gas Boiler Replacement

Installation cost of boiler $166,114.
The existing system was replaced due to the gas hot water system not running at full
efficiency, and gas being supplied in 125kg bottles transported by diesel-powered vehicles.
The new installation is more efficient and removes the requirement for gas deliveries to site.
We need to wait twelve months after the boiler installation to calculate savings, as there was
no baseline figure from the previous boiler system.

Please refer to the attached business case and Energy Predictions report.

Winter Gardens Biomass Boiler
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |  aucklandcouncil.govt.nz  | Ph 09 301 0101

Installation cost of boiler $308,008.
The existing gas system was coming to the end of life and was replaced with the biomass
boiler, during the options analysis phase, carbon reduction was projected to be 100 tonnes
of CO2e per annum. Please see attached monitoring and verification of the system, actual
CO2e reduction at 119.4 tonnes per annum ‘Monitoring Verification Winter Gardens Biomass
Boiler’.

Please refer to the attached business case and a copy of EECA Best Practice Guidelines for
biomass boilers.

Albany Pool Solar System

Project cost for installation of solar system $359,696.
During the first twelve months the solar panels produced 256.036 MWh. The panels are
guaranteed to stil  be producing at least 80% of current output in twenty-five years’ time.
With the growing demand for electrification, the solar panel program enhances the site's
resilience having a reliable energy source.
As of 3rd September 2024, the solar panels (at an average rate of 11c per unit) have
produced $41,966.65 of power since the system went live in March 2023.

Please refer to the attached business case and the completed pages of the Strategic
Assessment.

Decisions relating to the information that is being released to you were made by Taryn Crewe,
General Manager - Parks and Community Facilities.

You have the right to complain to the Ombudsman if you believe we have not responded
appropriately to your request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

If you have any further queries, please contact me on 09 301 0101 quoting official information
request number 8140014364

Ngā mihi

Amanda Pil ay
Privacy and Official Information Business Partner
Customer Experience and Digital Services
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |  aucklandcouncil.govt.nz  | Ph 09 301 0101