Auckland’s greenhouse gas inventory to 2023

Executive summary

Rising greenhouse gas (GHG) levels in the atmosphere caused by human activities are leading to climate change and rising global temperatures. Te-Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan sets the target of net zero emissions by 2050 with an interim emissions reduction target of 50% by 2030 (against a 2016 baseline). An emissions inventory provided at a suitable frequency identifies and quantifies the most recent sources and sinks of greenhouse gas emissions and trends. This provides a robust evidence base and essential data to progress towards targets, evaluate impacts of current mitigation actions, frame further mitigation actions and inform future policy development.

This current inventory reports greenhouse gas emissions and carbon removals within the Auckland region for the period 2009-2023. In 2023, Auckland’s gross emissions were 10,919 kilo-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (kt CO₂e) and when land and harvested wood products (HWPs) were included, net emissions were 10,298 kt CO₂e. Transport and stationary energy are the dominant sectors, accounting for 46.8% and 23.5% of gross emissions, respectively. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) contributed 83.3%, methane (CH₄) 9.5%, nitrous oxide (N₂O) 2.6% and other GHGs 4.5%.

Auckland Council technical report, TR2025/14

September 2025

See also

Te oranga o te taiao o Tāmaki Makaurau. The health of Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland’s natural environment in 2025. A synthesis of Auckland Council’s state of the environment reporting