Auckland’s emergency services are adapting to climate change, planning for heatwaves by considering measures such as extending hours for air-conditioned public spaces. But while preparedness for extreme weather improves, experts warn the city remains far from meeting its emissions targets.
“Heat is a novel hazard for the emergency management sector,” said Aidan Milner of Auckland Emergency Management. Previously focused on natural disasters and infrastructure failures, emergency planning is now turning to urban heat, according to a report from Radio NZ. Milner is part of a national group examining heat risks with scientists and public health officials.
Urban heat mapping commissioned by Auckland Council has revealed that densely built-up areas can be up to 3°C hotter than greener suburbs. The lack of vegetation, combined with heat-retaining surfaces like asphalt, poses health risks during heatwaves, especially at night.
To combat this, the council may keep libraries and parks open longer in hot weather and is exploring long-term strategies, including more trees, shaded areas, and green roofs.
Adapting to heat is only part of the equation. Auckland, home to 33% of New Zealand’s population, contributes around 30% of national household emissions. Roughly 40% of these come from transport, dominated by road traffic.
Greenhouse gas expert Dr Jocelyn Turnbull of GNS Science, who is contributing to a special Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on cities, said urban areas are at the centre of both the problem and the solution. “Most of our emissions come from cities,” she said, adding that Auckland’s emissions pattern is typical but manageable.
“We have a really good opportunity to mitigate those emissions because we know how,” she said. “If we don’t drive as much or we drive vehicles that don’t produce as much CO₂.”
Despite this, data shows limited progress. Transport emissions only significantly dropped during COVID-19 lockdowns. Meanwhile, Auckland Council has pledged to quadruple public transport trips by 2030 and improve cycling infrastructure.
Public transport use remains below 2019 levels. Monthly cycling trips have only recently rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, reaching 370,000 in March. Electric vehicle sales have also declined.
University of Auckland planning lecturer Dr Tim Welch called the city’s climate goals “wildly off track.” He cited high fares and insufficient government investment in separated bus and cycle lanes as key barriers.
“Unless we do something dramatic very, very soon… we are going to miss these targets by a significant amount,” Welch said.
Auckland Transport noted it has halved its direct emissions through electrifying trains and buses. Still, most Aucklanders continue to rely on petrol-powered vehicles.
“The biggest lift for public transport is the bus,” Welch said. “The problem for buses is that for most people to get where they want to go, the bus has to sit in traffic.”
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