Little steps towards climate change

[If you are unable to view this message correctly, click here]( [stuff header]( Hi {NAME}, Climate Change: It’s the little things that count Auckland’s target of [halving carbon emissions]( by 2030 is huge, but the critical early steps are relatively small, and some warning signs are already showing. The big role of road transport (38%) in the region’s emissions, [mean much less driving needs to occur]( to achieve a 64% cut in transport emissions by 2030. So how are we doing on some of those early steps? One of the big shifts needed is trebling public transport’s share of the journeys made in Auckland. Since that target was set at the end of 2020 in [the Climate Plan]( Covid-19 has [reduced patronage by around 40%]( while general traffic has returned largely to normal. The 2021 Covid-19 wave has contributed to nearly [2000 bus services a day]( being cancelled, and dozens of train and ferry services. Two-thirds of that is due to sickness, the rest is down to a shortage of 400 bus drivers, as other work proves more appealing. Auckland Council has funded an [8% pay rise]( on minimum hourly rates, but the split shifts and 14-hour spreads of work remain a deterrent, and permitted by legislation. Cycling’s share of trips, especially local ones, need to rise seven-fold. Auckland Transport’s first of many projects to create low-cost protected cycleways has hit trouble on [Greenhithe’s Upper Harbour Drive](. Local temperatures are rising as motorists continue to hit the freshly installed concrete lane separators, with many calling for their removal. Whether the changes are the problem, or whether it’s the community preparation that failed is not clear, but AT needs to understand swiftly how to make this work to avert a growing push-back against encouraging alternatives to driving. Maybe the return of foreign backpackers and work-permitted migrants will ease the [bus, train and ferry crew shortages]( but living in hope looks like a gamble. The city’s leaders need to ensure these simple foundations to encouraging less driving roll out smoothly and with public buy-in, because if the small things don’t work, there is not much of a foundation for the big stuff that must follow. [user profile pic] Todd Niall Senior Stuff Journalist [See more Auckland news]( [Privacy Info]( [Privacy Info]( [Watch this video now] Air NZ aims to cut carbon emissions by 16% by 2030, from 2019 levels Air NZ aims to cut carbon emissions by 16% by 2030, from 2019 levels Air New Zealand aims to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 16.3% by 2030, from a 2019 baseline. That would equate to a required reduction in carbon intensity of 28.9% during the period, the airline said in a statement on Thursday. [Read More]( [Privacy Info]( More Auckland stories you might have missed [Article Image] Pond or pool? Homeowner's six-month battle with Auckland Council over 'water feature' [Read more button]( [Article Image] Dilworth School: Appoint commissioner or shut school down, abuse survivor says [Read more button]( [Article Image] Community reeling after pou carvings vandalised with power tool [Read more button]( [Article Image] Waka Kotahi puts finishing touches to new $38m Māngere Bridge [Read more button]( [Support Stuff]( [Discover more Auckland news at Stuf]( You are receiving this email because you are opted in to receive the Your Auckland newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get Your Auckland in your inbox]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand