Greenhouse gas emissions

Why is this important?

Greenhouse gases include water vapour (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), ozone and halocarbons. An increase in these gases contributes to climate change. New Zealand’s share of emissions is very small, however our gross emissions per person are high. Measuring emissions of gases from human activities can help to identify where we need to reduce our impact on the environment.

Key points

• The transport sector has the highest levels of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions, with 1284 kilotonnes (80%) released in 2016.
• Next highest was the commercial sector with 144kt (9%), residential at 90kt (6%) and industrial with 83kt (5%).
• Emissions from the transport sector have experienced minimal change since 2009, while the other three sectors had experienced increases and decreases in growth for the period, levelling out from 2014 onwards.

 

Note this is an interactive chart and you can click on the legend items to change what is shown on the graph.

Note this is an interactive chart and you can click on the legend items to change what is shown on the graph.

Commentary

CO2 equivalent emissions from the residential, commercial and industrial sectors are likely to have been low in 2009 due to the impact of the Global Financial Crisis, then fluctuated following the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010-11.