Transport
The transportation sector has an impact on every aspect of New Zealand’s
life and business, whether helping us get to work or deliver goods and services.
The number of heavy vehicles on New Zealand roads has increased by 20% since 1997, with fuel consumption increasing by 30% over the same time period. New Zealanders also have one of the highest vehicle ownership rates in the world, and most of our travel is by car.
Right now, there are some strong financial and environmental motivators to look at your transport options. These include:
- Increasing fuel prices
- Congestion in many of our cities
- Increasing awareness of greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on climate change.
Examining the impact of your fleet and transportation methods will more than likely identify new opportunities to improve efficiency.
The links below will help you develop sustainability in this area.
Case studies
Tyre Track (Motor Trade Association)
Tyre Track is an example of the Ministry for the Environment working with industry to come up with a creative, voluntary solution to deal with a growing environmental problem. Millions of old and unwanted tyres are disposed of every year. Some are dumped illegally in unsightly piles creating fire hazards, while landfills are increasingly banning disposal of whole tyres. Tyre Track is a national tyre tracking system that links tyre dealers with registered transporters which deliver old tyres to an environmentally sound end. Started in July 2004, Tyre Track is managed by the Motor Trade Association (MTA) with Ministry support.
Guides
Guidance for Voluntary, Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reporting
This publication gives guidance for corporations on voluntary Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting, including emission factors. It is intended to help those corporates that wish to voluntarily monitor and report greenhouse gas emissions on an organisational basis for their New Zealand operations.
Organisations
Travel Planning (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority)
Travel planning is an innovative form of travel demand management that EECA is promoting in partnership with local and regional authorities. It aims to help improve energy efficiency and conservation in the transport sector and reduce the demand on our road networks.
Other resources
Energy Efficient Ways to improve the economic bottom line of your road transport business [PDF, 3.9MB] (Energy Federation of NZ)
This kit provides information on energy use and energy efficiency in the road transport sector.
Ministry of Transport environment page - Air (Ministry of Transport)
Information from the Ministry of Transport on transport and the environment.
Ministry of Transport environment page - Land (Ministry of Transport)
Information from the Ministry of Transport on transport and the environment.
Ministry of Transport environment page - Rail (Ministry of Transport)
Information from the Ministry of Transport on transport and the environment.
Ministry of Transport environment page - Sea (Ministry of Transport)
Information from the Ministry of Transport on transport and the environment.
Risk Radar fact sheets (Ministry for the Environment)
As part of a software package brought to New Zealand by IAG NZ, the Ministry for the Environment has developed a series of fact sheets that provide environmental, sustainability and safety advice and incentives to the New Zealand vehicle repair sector.
Wellington City Council Journey to work - staff survey (Wellington City Council)
An example of good practice in surveying council staff 'journeys to work' in order to help reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from staff transport to and from work. The survey assists council identify the extent of car-pooling and other transport efficiency opportunities, with the aim of helping council staff become more travel efficient.
Websites
Environmental Effects of Transport in NZ (Ministry for the Environment)
The Ministry for the Environment outlines how transport generates a number of adverse environmental effects from both transport infrastructure and vehicles.
Green Fleet (Sustainable Business Network)
GreenFleet is a practical programme developed by the Sustainable Business Network which enables New Zealand businesses to do something towards reducing the impacts of their vehicle fleet on our environment and people.
Sustainable transport in NZ (Ministry for the Environment)
Sustainable transport is about finding ways to move people, goods and information to reduce impact on the environment, the economy, and society.
Think something should be added to Simply Sustainable? Send your suggestion to webmaster@mfe.govt.nz.
