Achieving net zero emissions need not be at cost of region’s economy: report

Southland has the potential to both meet the New Zealand Government’s net zero emissions target by 2050 and retain a positive economic position, a new report shows.

The Net Zero Southland Report was commissioned by Great South from Ernst & Young to establish options for reducing emissions, as well as determine the cost of achieving these at a regional scale.

Southland contributes 9.7% to New Zealand’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

A key recommendation of the report was to develop an implementation plan to guide Southland’s path to a net zero emissions economy.

Great South chief executive Graham Budd said collective action across all sectors and a holistic approach would be necessary to determine the best pathway.

"We need to ensure any plans put in place are the best thing for people, the economy and the environment, and are sustainable long-term.

"Southland has a unique economy reliant on agriculture and industry," he said.

"We need a mixture of long- and short-term options, so there is no economic shock."

While offsetting emissions was part of the solution, action should be focused on reducing them rather than offsetting them, Mr Budd said.

Representatives from the agricultural sector, industry, councils and youth in Southland all had input to the emission-reduction options suggested in the report.

Emissions reduction options that would immediately be available included converting commercial and industrial fossil fuel-fired boilers to biomass or electric; increasing the uptake of electric vehicles; and transitioning from private vehicles to cycling, walking, public or shared transport.

Great South will present the report to relevant sector stakeholders.