Mayor announces plan to 'green' Auckland

Auckland Mayor Len Brown. Photo / Doug Sherring

Cutting Auckland's carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2025 is among a raft of environmental goals announced by Mayor Len Brown this morning.

Mr Brown says the "aspirational target" is part of a vision to make Auckland the world's most liveable city.

He wants to look at using solar energy for the city's water heating and electricity generation.

"The challenge for Auckland is to break the link between development, economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions and move from a high energy use, wasteful society to an Auckland that saves energy and resources and reduces waste."

The goal goes further than the New Zealand Government's commitment to reducing carbon emissions by between 10 and 20 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020.

Greenpeace has called for New Zealand to institute a carbon emissions reduction target of 40 per cent by 2020.

Other initiatives outlined by Mr Brown include a study on whether Auckland can adopt the 'Eco-city' model spearheaded by former Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.

It would see environmental concerns factored into urban and rural planning throughout the region, he says.

"Cities with a reputation for high quality liveability, such as Melbourne, Vancouver, Portland, Seattle and San Francisco, all have a strong environmental focus," he says.

Mr Harvey says the decision to commission the study keeps the legacy of Waitakere alive in Auckland.

"This has rekindled the Waitakere flame.

"It's a visionary move and will be a powerful tool in the marketing of the city for future generations."

Mr Brown is also looking at extending environmental initiatives including Project Twin Streams, which has seen local residents clean and replant waterways from the Waitakere Ranges to the Waitemata Harbour.

Recycling services will be standardised across the city, with Papakura residents receiving wheelie bins by September and Rodney residents by 2013, he says.

Chairman of the Environmental and Sustainability Forum Councillor Wayne Walker says the initiatives will enhance Auckland's natural heritage.

"Now we can step up to take these initiatives across Auckland, to make it a sustainable, liveable and more beautiful city. I endorse these projects that the Mayor is setting out, I'm 100 per cent behind them."