Our sustainability pages offer a number of initiatives that your workplace, household or community can do that help reduce your impact on the Earth.
Below are some suggestions targeted specifically at climate change.
Use the tools below to find out your carbon footprint and start taking actions to reduce it.
The Ministry for the Environment have released a guide to help New Zealand businesses offset their emissions properly:
Reduce your fashion footprint
The fashion industry produces a number of environmental impacts from water and fossil fuel used in growing the raw materials, to the chemical dyes used in processing. This impact is amplified by 'fast fashion', where items are worn only a few times before being thrown out and replaced with something new.
In 2019, the World Bank estimated that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. That's more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined!
To reduce your fashion footprint, you could purchase clothes that are made to last, support local clothing brands that use sustainable practices, donate your quality used clothes to your local op shop, repurpose old clothes into rags, and buy second-hand clothes.
Reduce your food footprint
There are many ways to reduce your food footprint. A good place to start is by reducing food waste. One-third of the world's food goes to waste, which accounts for 6.7% of global carbon emissions. The good news is, this is one problem that's relatively easy to solve!
Once you've reduced your food waste, you can look at the types of food you're eating to reduce your food footprint even further.
Get active to reduce your transport footprint
21% of New Zealand's annual greenhouse gas emissions come from transport. Nearly 70% of all transport emissions are from cars, SUVs, utes, vans and light trucks. The good news is, we can all make a difference to this figure by making some changes to how we get around.
Join the Nelson-Tasman Climate Forum and be part of the community of Councils, iwi, businesses, community organisations, academics and individuals working together on climate action in our region.
Join the Gen Less movement. This is for businesses and individuals. Through the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority, the Government has launched a campaign to help you live more with less energy. It is a great way for you to pledge your commitment alongside others in the Gen Less community.
Zero Carbon Nelson-Tasman are a local group committed to a safe climate, sustainable human communities, and resilient ecosystems.
350 Nelson-Tasman is the local branch of 350 Aotearoa. 350 is an international movement that aims to build a future that's just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the effects of climate change.
A youth-led organisation, Generation Zero supports solutions towards a carbon neutral Aotearoa.
Ask businesses to support climate change reducing initiatives. Share some of our resources to support businesses to become more sustainable.
The Ministry of Health has identified common health issues and made a guide to making a heat health plan to help keep you safe.
The Civil Defence website provides a great resource to help you get you and your loved ones ready in emergencies.
Get to know your neighbours and look out for one another.
