Tracking progress Carbon Neutral Government Programme

Overall, CNGP emissions reported for 2023 were 1,507,862 tCO₂-e. For most participants, this is from financial year 2022/23, and for some it is from calendar year 2022. This is a 14% (238,019 tCO₂-e) reduction from base year and on track to achieve 2025 targets.

Progress toward targets

Sixty-six public sector organisations were directed to participate in the CNGP in 2023. This number includes 39 Tranche 1 organisations (Public Service Departments, Departmental Agencies and the Executive Branch) reporting to the CNGP for the second time, and 27 Tranche 2 organisations (Crown Agents and schools) reporting for the first time.

Top emission sources for Tranche 1 and 2 organisations

Total emissions from Tranches 1 and 2 were 383,505 tCO₂-e, a 13% reduction from base year. Forty-four of these organisations reported reductions of 20% or more, and 70% reported they are confident or likely to achieve their 2025 reduction target.

Further emissions data from Tranches 1 & 2 is available here.

Twenty-eight organisations, including state-owned enterprises and tertiary institutions, were encouraged to join the programme from 2023. Of these, 18 organisations submitted reports to the CNGP in 2023, with more indicating they will join the programme in 2024.

Top emission sources for Tranche 3 organisations

Total emissions from Tranche 3 were 1,124,357 tCO₂-e. This is a 14% reduction from base year.

Further emissions data from Tranche 3 is available here.

Air travel

Air travel accounted for 8% of 2023 reported emissions across all tranches. This includes any travel on a commercial plane such as for overseas diplomacy, site visits, and community engagement and consultation (organisation-controlled aircraft, such as NZDF planes, are counted separately).

Across the programme, air travel emissions reduced 38% since base year. Air travel is still one of the highest emission sources for a majority of CNGP participants, and many organisations are looking at further opportunities for reductions.                            

To date, 29 organisations have implemented policy changes toward minimising air travel. A further 14 organisations reported they plan to implement travel policy changes in 2024.

Fleet

Fourteen percent of 2023 reported emissions across all tranches were from vehicle fleet. This includes light and heavy vehicles and covers all travel undertaken in CNGP participant-owned fleet vehicles.

Fleet emissions reduced 14% from Base Year, in part due to the transition to electric vehicles.

EV dashboard reducing government fleet emissions [New Zealand Government Procurement]

Electricity

Five percent of 2023 reported emissions across all tranches were from electricity. This covers activities such as heating and lighting.

Electricity emissions have reduced by 25% (25,336 tCO₂-e) across the programme. This reduction is supported by lower emission factors for electricity due to an increased renewable component of the New Zealand electricity grid. Electricity consumption across the programme has also reduced by 10% (80 GWh), reflecting efforts to reduce building energy use.

See further information on Reducing emissions in government office buildings [New Zealand Government Procurement]

Coal boilers

The Government has committed to phasing out the largest and most active coal boilers by the end of 2025. Twenty-three out of 24 projects are on track to be completed by end of 2025.

As of February 2024, 101 of 149 coal boilers in schools have been replaced.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the largest overall emission source at 42% of programme emissions. 97% of this is from the Tranche 3 organisation Pāmu, that manages nearly 360,000 ha of land around New Zealand. Agricultural emissions have dropped 8% since Base Year.

Supply Chain emissions

In addition to the mandatory programme emission sources, CNGP participants are encouraged to measure, report, and set appropriate targets for their Scope 3 value chain emissions. Alternative targets are permitted, reflecting the sometimes-limited influence organisations have over these sources. In 2023, 2,208,086 tCO₂-e was reported under this category: 

1. Fifty-one percent of this was from the state schooling sector, predominantly from staff and student commuting, and purchased goods and services.
   
2. Twenty-six percent was from Kāinga Ora, from housing construction and associated activities.
   
3. Fifteen percent was from the New Zealand Transport Agency, from state highway infrastructure construction, maintenance and operations, and emergency works. 

This is an important part of the programme where emission reduction initiatives by government can influence the wider economy and support the provision of lower emission goods and services across a wide range of industries.