Mitigating Climate Change in Urban Aotearoa: towards transformative policies

Abstract

Carbon emissions, the dominant greenhouse gas emissions in urban Aotearoa New Zealand, must fall. This article considers how New Zealand can implement transformative urban mitigation policies. First, it is time to move beyond a fixation with the emissions trading system and vehicle electrification, and apply a comprehensive set of known, effective policy measures. Second, policies must consider effects on wellbeing. Third, systemic solutions are needed to redress systemic problems of urban sprawl and car dependence, and offer a credible prospect of transformative urban mitigation.