Community Scoop: How Our Council is Boldly Advancing Climate Commitment for a Sustainable Future

Hamilton City Council has just shared its latest climate change report, showing how it’s gearing up to tackle climate challenges. This isn’t just a routine update; it’s a chance for the council to highlight the changes it’s making to operate in a more climate-friendly way.

Charlotte Catmur, the Council’s Sustainability and Climate Change Manager, emphasized the report’s significance. She said, “Our goal is to drive a stronger response to climate risk and keep our leaders informed about our preparations for a low-carbon future.”

In the past year, the council has achieved several milestones:

• Cut natural gas use to lower emissions.
• Installed solar panels at St Andrews Library.
• Switched its fleet to electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-scooters.
• Enhanced public transport options by introducing the new Meteor bus.
• Launched a tool to assess climate and hazard risks.
• Completed flood mapping for 90% of the city.

However, some challenges remain. Operational emissions did rise slightly this year due to shifts in the national electricity supply. For 2024/25, emissions totaled 10,430 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, up from 9,069 tonnes the previous year. While this reflects an 8% reduction from the 2018/19 levels, it’s a drop from the 20% reduction reported last year.

Despite these fluctuations, the Council is committed to reaching its goal of a 50% emissions reduction by 2030. To ensure continued progress, they’re reviewing their emissions reduction plan and planning for the 2027–2037 Long-Term Plan.

Interestingly, Hamilton is also collaborating with 18 other councils in Aotearoa to enhance the measurement of city-wide emissions. This effort aims to provide more accurate data and a clearer picture of how Hamilton is advancing towards its low-carbon goals.

The Council’s climate strategy is laid out in the 2025-28 Climate Change Maturity Roadmap, outlining actions for governance, strategy, risk management, and tracking emissions. With these proactive steps, Hamilton is positioning itself as a leader in climate preparedness.

For those interested in the full details, you can read the complete report here.

As cities around the world contend with climate change, Hamilton’s efforts offer valuable insights into effective local governance and sustainable practices.

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