Auckland Council takes learning from experience seriously. Every challenge, independent report, community insight and piece of feedback helps us improve the way we plan and act for the future. The scale of climate change means we all need to rethink how we work and lean into the values of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, whanaungatanga, prosperity and equity as we shape a resilient Tāmaki Makaurau together.
We commit to listening, adapting and collaborating with communities and partners so that each action is informed, inclusive and strengthens our collective capacity to respond. By reflecting on lessons learned, we can build solutions that are culturally grounded, environmentally sound and sustainable for generations to come.
Since the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, we’ve learned that we need be more prepared for climate events. We heard from communities across Tāmaki Makaurau that you want:
You want stronger support systems that help communities organise, plan and respond effectively. Consistent investment, practical tools and trusted relationships are essential for enabling meaningful local action now and into the future.
You need confidence that timely, bold decisions are being made to reduce risk and protect your community. Clear commitments, visible progress and strong follow-through help build trust and ensure long-term resilience.
Clear direction and guidance as you make decisions about where you live. In the medium-term you want to be engaged in community-based responses. Long-term, you want sustainable leadership, decision-making and funding.
Consistency and certainty from local and central government matter to you. Reliable information, stable priorities and long-term leadership give you confidence, helping you plan ahead and support resilience in your community.
We have listened, and we’re shaping our climate response to provide the comprehensive, decisive action and consistent leadership Aucklanders have asked for.
Auckland is a member of C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis.
Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using inclusive, science-based and collaborative approaches to cut our fair share of emissions in half by 2030, help the world limit global heating in line with the Paris Agreement, and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities.
Cities in the C40 network earn their membership through action. Membership operates on performance-based requirements, not on fees, and every city in the C40 network is reviewed annually against our Leadership Standards.
Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan, sets out two ambitious climate goals for the region:
Transport, energy and industrial activities are the biggest sources of emissions and need more focused attention. High energy prices, reduced support for business transitions away from fossil fuels, and cuts to community services put additional pressure on climate initiatives.
Our Long-Term Plan prioritises climate resilience, and scaling up action will need sustained investment and commitment from everyone.
Taking action on climate change is not just good for the planet, it’s smart economics. Research shows that every dollar we invest in climate action yields substantial economic benefits. It also helps protect the things Aucklanders care about most – our environment, our way of life and our trust in government.
Information about how council governs and manages climate-related risks and opportunities.
This independent 2025 report benchmarks Auckland’s international prospects against a group of other flagship livable peer cities. It finds Auckland is performing well in preparing for climate change, ranking ahead of global peers across key sustainability and resilience measures, including democracy, green spaces and resilient infrastructure. The report also notes Auckland’s innovation in these areas:
Auckland stands out among peers for issuing green bonds, with total green bonds holdings of NZ$3.7 billion. It is one of only three peers to have issued green or sustainable bonds so far. A new Sustainably-Linked Bond links funding to the planting of one million native trees by the end of 2027. This new bond is particularly unique because if council doesn’t meet our planting target, we have donate to other organisations supporting native ngāhere restoration across the region.
Auckland is leading the way towards a more circular economy. More than 475,000 households now have a food scraps collection service – the biggest rollout of its kind in Australasia. By July 2025, our service helped divert 50,000 tonnes of food scraps from landfill and transformed these scraps into renewable energy and fertiliser.
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