​People need to be at the centre of emissions reduction, local says

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
 
Auckland Councils' transport emissions reduction pathways receives high praise and support from local organisations.

At an external Environment and Climate Change committee on August 18 members of the public got to weigh in on the transport emissions reduction pathways (TERP) including Waiheke Climate Alliance representative Hana Blackmore.

Blackmore said the TERP was “bloody brilliant” and empowering Aucklanders to make sustainable transport choices was at the core of the pathway.

“So much of what has to happen, has to come from the bottom up… it is the people who are going to be able to implement these things, switch out of their cars, get on their bike or walk or catch the bus,” Blackmore said.

“What we need is lots of carrots. I am a firm believer that sticks make people feel resentful, they try to not do it and it takes so much longer. There are immediate actions we can take to get people out of their cars.”

For Waiheke, Blackmore said the bus network on Waiheke needed to be extended in order to empower locals to switch modes.

“We simply do not have time for more reviews, discussions, talk festival consultations which delay action.”

While Blackmore was happy to hear the pathway was endorsed by Auckland Transport (AT), she said she was disappointed AT held the meeting confidentially, meaning Blackmore could not present.

Generation zero representative Theo Heeringa was meant to be joined by another representative but said their bus was cancelled so they were unable to make the meeting.

“Make of that what you will,” Heeringa said.

Heeringa said young people wanted to leave Auckland because the city was becoming a challenging and unfeasible place to live.

“TERP aims to build Auckland back into a city that all people can live in and call home… we see this as a golden opportunity to show us you are listening.”

Heeringa said the TERP was a real chance to ensure Aucklanders have real transport options and wanted to see council “cut the talk and get to action”.

Auckland Transport board chair Adrienne Young-Cooper later apologised for the Generation Zero representatives bus being cancelled later in the meeting.