Wellington is already well on the way to employing many of the emissions-reduction tactics suggested in the country’s first Emissions Reduction Plan of its own accord – but what would the things suggested actually look like in the capital city? \
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The country’s first ever [Emissions Reduction Plan](https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/climate-change/emissions-budgets-and-the-emissions-reduction-plan/) (ERP) has been released, revealing how the Government plans to meet the nation’s first [emissions budget](https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/128338351/climateheating-emissions-are-already-in-reach-of-the-governments-proposed-targets-for-the-next-four-years-how) of [72.4 million tonnes a yea](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300583572/climate-change-minister-james-shaw-confirms-sinking-lid-of-emissions-budgets)r, reducing carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions by 11.5 million tonnes of carbon in the next three years. \
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Greater Wellington regional councillor Thomas Nash called the plan “quietly pretty huge”. As well as the more immediately tangible push towards active transport, such as the ability to cash in your car for an electric vehicle or e-bike, it makes some “some pretty majorly structural reforms to planning and funding”. \
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According to the plan, people will have to travel 20% less by car by 2035 and shift to public transport, cycling and walking, with $350m in the Budget specifically dedicated to “mode-shift” – moving people from high-emitting to low-emitting travel modes.
