Emissions reduction plan

Last updated: 6 January 2026 Emissions reduction plans are released by the Government and set out how Aotearoa New Zealand will meet its emissions reduction targets. They also set a path for meeting our long-term emissions reduction targets.

About the plans

The plans require action across every sector of the economy to create a low-emissions future with cleaner energy, better transport options and healthier homes.

We had actions under the first emissions reduction plan, which was in place until 31 December 2025. In December 2024, the Government released the second Emissions Reduction Plan, covering the emissions budget for the years 2026 to 2030. We have no actions under this plan.

Emissions reduction targets and budgets

The Climate Change Response Act sets a target of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It also requires the creation of emissions budgets, which are interim emission reduction targets that step toward the 2050 target and have to be met through domestic action alone.

Read the emissions reduction plan(external link)

See the Climate Change Response Act(external link)

Impact on housing and urban development

Climate change has wide-reaching implications for housing and urban development in New Zealand. The emissions reduction plan signals significant shifts in the transport, building and construction, and planning and infrastructure sectors.

Transport

For transport, the plan includes a focus on reducing reliance on cars and delivering considerable change in walking, cycling and public transport. The aim is to reduce vehicle kilometres travelled by the light vehicle fleet by 20% by 2035. The plan signals changes to the way we fund and invest in infrastructure. These actions can support wider Government objectives like housing affordability and liveability.

Building and construction

Building and construction actions include a focus on improving the energy efficiency of new buildings and reducing the whole-of-life embodied carbon of buildings. The plan also proposes actions to enable Māori representation within the building and construction sector. These actions can also help improve the quality of new homes.

Planning and infrastructure

Planning and infrastructure actions support a shift towards planning and building low-emission urban areas; characterised by more mixed use, and medium and high-density development, with good access to jobs, amenities and services, and well connected by active and public transport. Resource Management reform will be key to enabling this.

Our emissions reduction plan work

The second emissions reduction plan is now in place. We have no actions to complete. We are working on policies that support our broader objective of thriving communities where everyone has a place to call home.

Other climate work

Emissions reduction plans focuses on reducing emissions, but we also need to adapt to climate impacts that are already happening. These are addressed in the national adaptation plan.

See the national adaptation plan

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