Emissions
Auckland's emissions
Auckland’s GHG emissions (carbon dioxide equivalent)
Proportion of regional GHG emissions by source (2023)
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's ongoing efforts to manage and reduce emissions are part of its commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
Despite a national GDP contribution of 38 per cent, Auckland produced only 13 per cent of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.
As a region, Auckland has made gradual progress in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions over the last 15 years or so, with a 16.3 per cent reduction in emission levels between 2007 – 2023. This rate of emission reduction outstrips that achieved by the rest of New Zealand, down only 7.3 per cent over the same period. However, Auckland’s emission reductions in 2023 were negligible compared to previous years.
Like many cities and regions around the world, Auckland has prioritised the transition to a low-carbon economy, having recognised the additional economic gain that could be delivered if warming is limited to 1.5⁰C. Auckland’s ongoing reductions in emissions represent positive progress towards the sustainability objectives outlined in the Climate Action Framework, Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri, and the Auckland Plan 2050. However, as mentioned in the green economy deep dive later in this report, it is more than just reducing emissions, but also rethinking how we grow, move, build, consume, and care for people in an environmentally-focussed manner.
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Despite contributing 38% of New Zealand’s GDP in 2024, Auckland only produced 13% of its greenhouse gas emissions.
This is partly driven by the industry mix. Nearly 60% of New Zealand’s emissions are produced by the primary industries, of which there is only a very small amount in Auckland.
Auckland’s proportion of national emissions has remained broadly consistent since 2009.
Households produced around 25% of Auckland’s emissions (mostly through transport). This is higher than the rest of New Zealand (9%).
Per capita greenhouse gas emissions in Auckland were significantly lower than those in the rest of New Zealand in 2023, with approximately 6 tonnes CO₂-e compared to 19 tonnes CO₂-e.
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Greenhouse gas emissions in Auckland declined by 0.4% in 2023.
This was a smaller reduction than was achieved in 2022 (2.9%), and the average over the past decade (0.9%).
It was also a smaller reduction than what the rest of New Zealand achieved in 2023 (2.1%).
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At an industry level, it takes Auckland 53 tonnes of CO₂-e to generate $1 million in GDP, whereas the rest of New Zealand uses 259 tonnes.
This is due to Auckland's service-based economy, which relies on significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2023, the manufacturing industry was the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Auckland, releasing 2,800 kilotonnes, which accounted for 37% of industrial emissions in the region.
Source: Infometrics Regional Economic Profile
Auckland Economic Monitor
A summary of key economic information about the region
Auckland’s economy: What’s changed?
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![Economic activity]()
Economic activity
Auckland’s economy is well-diversified - more than any other area of New Zealand - but it has a relative focus on high value service industries.
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![Businesses]()
Businesses
Auckland has around 225,000 businesses. They employ more people on average than the rest of the country.
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![The labour market]()
The labour market
Auckland’s workforce is large, diverse, and skewed toward high skilled workers.
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![Economic confidence]()
Economic confidence
Auckland’s consumer confidence is relatively low, reflecting the difficult economic conditions which exist today.
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![Visitor economy]()
Visitor economy
Auckland offers the first taste of New Zealand for many international visitors.
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![Community]()
Community
Auckland contains 33% of New Zealand’s population. Although ageing, it is more youthful than the rest of New Zealand.
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Emissions
Notwithstanding its GDP contribution of 37%, Auckland produced only 14% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2022.
