Maungakiekie-Tāmaki’s Local Climate Activation programme has led the charge with impressive results in its first year of delivery.
More than eight tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions were reduced in 2023/2024 thanks to the local board funded programme tasked with initiatives to address climate change.
Through proposed actions aligned with Maungakiekie-Tāmaki’s Climate Action Plan (2023), approximately six cubic metres of waste was removed, 250 native trees were planted, hundreds of people in the community and tamariki in schools were engaged with and educated on ways to make our environment last longer.
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board chair Maria Meredith is excited about the outcomes.
“These results are incredibly promising and are just the start of many necessary initiatives to improve our environment,” she says.
“The plan is to amplify these activities to build community understanding, adapt to more sustainable lifestyles and become resilient to the effects of climate change.
“We want to support community and businesses in this climate crisis so that we and our future generations are prepared,” says chair Meredith.
The climate activation programme consisted of five elements: restoring the natural environment; improving home energy efficiency; promoting sustainable transport; fit for purpose kai; climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
Highlights included 80 students from six schools and volunteers were involved in native planting, removing invasive plants and building a rain garden.
Reforesting urban environments fosters the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, reducing emissions in our environment. It is estimated that 6.5 tonnes of CO₂ will be reduced annually from the 250 trees planted by local tamariki, who also cleared about six cubic metres of rubbish which is the equivalent of eight and a half four-person spa pools.
As part of the warmer homes component, 20 residents attended workshops to learn more about improving energy efficiency. A hot tip was the home energy audit toolkit (HEAT), available for loan from your local library.
The toolkit identifies which areas of the home uses the most energy, how to make homes healthier and warmer and how residents can reduce power bills and their carbon footprint.
One household of six people discovered they were able to save 6,400 kilowatt-hour of power, which equates to 1,491.2 kg of CO₂ and 85,000 litres of water.
With transport being a major contributor to CO₂ sustainable transport to and from school was discussed with more than 150 intermediate and college students, identifying barriers and safety concerns.
The programme also engaged with 48 members of the community to create nutritional menus with local chefs and nutritionists, cooking and understanding cultural food traditions.
For some, climate change came into focus with the increase of extreme weather events and therefore equipping community with ways to adapt to environmental impacts has become front of mind.
Working towards a climate resilient Maungakiekie-Tāmaki commenced with over 20 community leaders and organisations connecting with one another, mapping out local centres, facilities and services; identifying evacuation routes, local emergency services, shelters, medical facilities and localised support services.
Year two of the climate activation programme is already underway with more actions planned, including expanding the reforestation area, collaborating with established environmental groups, bee keeping and curtain making workshops, introducing plant-based lunches in schools and much more.
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