Our progress towards a better environment Our progress towards a better environment
Auckland Transport (AT) together with mana whenua has developed 'Hīkina Te Wero: Environment Action Plan' (PDF 919KB) to ensure our transport network protects and restores the environment. The plan was approved by the AT Board in Dec 2021 and combines our environmental work into a single framework.
Hikina te Wero – measuring our environmental impact
At AT our mission is to enable accessible and reliable travel options to connect Auckland’s people and communities. To ensure we protect and restore our city for the next generations, our travel infrastructure must be designed and delivered in a way that addresses our impact on the environment, now and into the future. Hikina te Wero is our commitment to do that. It was endorsed by our Board in December 2021 and every year we measure our progress against five priority environmental goals.
- Managing our discharges
- Greening our network
- Fish passage and biodiversity
- Water conservation
- Waste minimization
This year we share our second environment scorecard in English and te reo Māori.
We have made great progress on some of the targets and have identified room for improvement on others.
Environment scorecard
Download the environment scorecard in English (JPEG 3MB)
Environment scorecard in te reo Māori
Download the environment scorecard in te reo Maori (JPEG 2.9MB)
The five targets in detail:
1. Managing our discharges
Managing road runoff is about providing a filter between what ends up on our streets and what ends up in our stormwater system and harbours. This is important to ensure our rivers, harbour and beaches are safe, pleasant places for people and wildlife to thrive in now, and into the future. These filters include things like raingardens where we use vegetation and mulch to clean the stormwater before it reache our harbours.
Target
Runoff from 30% of our busiest roads will be treated by 2030.
How we measure the target
Our progress is tracked through measuring how much of the road runoff along our busiest roads is treated by treatment devices and will be used to help prioritise the location of these devices.
Progress we've made
This year we were unable to install any new treatment devices on our busiest roads due to COVID-19 related delays. Compared to 605 devices installed in 2022, this year 193 treatment devices were installed in smaller residential streets.
2. Greening our network
We are aiming to increase the number of street trees and planting in areas where they are lacking, a particular focus area is South Auckland. Street trees are important for providing shade and reducing the heat for pedestrians in summer, helping our communities be more resilient to climate change.
Target
Increase tree cover along Auckland streets to an average of 12% and help our streets become 10% more spongy to reduce stormwater runoff and to replenish our ground water. We do this through things like planting trees, rain gardens, and green roofs. This helps our streets to be more resilient to flooding in extreme weather events and reduce the urban heat island effect and be more resilient to climate change.
How we measure the target
We record and track the areas of green infrastructure and spongy surfaces on the street. In collaboration with Auckland Council, we will regularly measure the canopy cover and street trees, particularly in south Auckland.
Progress we've made
In 2022, we planted 610 new street trees, and we trialled living shelters (i.e., living roof and living wall) at two of our bus stops. In 2023 a net gain of 1089 street trees were planted, after accounting for those removed due to damage/poor health.
3. Fish passage and biodiversity
Fish sometimes need to travel through our drainpipes to reach habitats and breeding grounds, and sometimes this access is blocked. Fish contribute to the biodiversity of New Zealand and are an important part of supporting our native bird species. A healthy and thriving ecosystem is part of creating a healthy city.
Target
Fish passage will be provided for 20% of the rural drainpipes (culverts) located on streams where fish live.
How we measure this
We check the condition of the drainpipes to make sure fish can pass through when they need to and fix those where needed.
Progress we've made
In 2022 we checked many rural drainpipes and fixed one very important drainpipe where fish couldn’t get through.
This year fish passage was restored to a stream in Karaka (south Auckland) via a culvert renewal.
4. Water conservation
Auckland has experienced a water shortage in recent years and drinking water is precious. We have committed to doing our part by reducing fresh water waste during construction.
Targets
All AT capital/maintenance projects over $5 million will establish rainwater supplies for activities that do not need drinking-water quality water. And AT will reduce the use of drinkable water by 5% annually at our bus, train, and ferry stations.
How we measure this
The use of rainwater for construction, maintenance and operational needs is tracked and reported by our contractors and staff. We also track the use of water at our bus, train, and ferry stations.
Progress we've made
Most of our major contractors now have rainwater tanks installed at their depots for construction and maintenance work (6 out of 7).
Currently we have one major capital project underway which has established rainwater supplies for activities that do not need drinking-water quality water.
5. Minimising waste
Minimising waste helps us manage our natural resources wisely. We spend less money buying new materials, there are fewer vehicles trucking material to landfill, reducing the demand for landfill space, energy and reducing carbon emissions.
Target
Waste volumes sent to landfill is reduced by 50% across construction, maintenance, and operation of the transport network. Another way of saying this is that we want to divert 75% of our waste away from landfill.
How we measure this
The volume of materials sent to and diverted from landfill is recorded and tracked through our contracts. We are encouraging our contractors to use recycled materials instead of new material.
What progress we've made
The diversion of waste material from the maintenance and renewals work decreased from 76% (2022) to 56% (2023) because of the storm recovery works.
With one major capital project underway we diverted 80% of waste from landfill.