CO₂ emissions contribute to urban air pollution. By transitioning to a low-emission or zero-emission public transport fleet we can play our part in promoting a healthier environment and the adoption of newer, cleaner technologies in public transport.
This is aligned with the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport and the Ministry of Transport Te Manatū Waka’s Outcomes Framework, as well as included in the Regional Public Transport Plan and the Regional Land Transport Plan.
By analysing this data, we can understand public transport emission trends, assess the effectiveness of initiatives, and identify areas needing further improvement.
We gather data from our fleet operational and emissions records and the Christchurch City Council greenhouse gas emissions report (published every three years).
We are aiming to have a net-carbon zero fleet by 2035 and have committed to a number of actions to transition to low emissions through our Climate Action Plan. A net-carbon zero fleet refers to achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere.
A new electric double-decker bus was added to the fleet in February 2026 for a 12-month trial. This is the country’s first lightweight electric double-decker, making it the first vehicle of its kind in the country to operate without a special permit. The bus has been trialed on the Route 7 Halswell-Queenspark service and will be tested on several of Metro’s busier routes over the trial period, allowing us to assess its benefits and consider our options going forward.
In April 2026, Timaru’s on-demand public transport service, MyWay by Metro, became fully electric with the introduction of 10 new electric vehicles (EVs), eliminating tailpipe emissions from this fleet and delivering quieter, cleaner journeys for the Timaru community. Six of the new vehicles are “Very Small Buses” (VSBs), a first for New Zealand, with the remaining vehicles similar to those already in service.
At the end of 2025/26, 26 per cent of our urban Greater Christchurch fleet and Timaru was electric.
We have also moved electric buses onto routes where they can travel the most kilometres. Together with the new vehicles described above, this means 31 per cent of fleet kilometres are now travelled by zero-emission buses, up from 29 per cent last year.
Through the Annual Plan 2025/26 process, we have had to delay funding for EV replacement and infrastructure as part of meeting government expectations around private revenue. This means we will not have funding available over the coming year to add any new EVs to the fleet.
We can implement policies, provide funding, and enhance the sustainability of the public transport fleet by procuring low-emission or zero-emission buses and optimising routes to reduce kilometres travelled.
Partner councils, such as Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council and Selwyn District Council, play a significant role by providing and maintaining the infrastructure required for public transport.
National transport agencies, the Ministry of Transport Te Manatū Waka and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi have the ultimate influence over public transport due to their key roles in setting national transport policies and funding for public transport.
This measure is directly linked to Action G in our Climate Action Plan Te Mahere Huringa Āhuarangi: Work with partners, communities, and key stakeholders to enable a just transition to a prosperous, low-emissions region that achieves greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. This action aims to enable the transition to a low emissions region that supports New Zealand’s contribution under the Paris Agreement, shares the benefits of this transition equitably, and supports vulnerable communities throughout the transition.
Q1 tracks progress against one of these targets, Christchurch City Council's goal to halve greenhouse gas emissions (excluding methane) by 2030. Working with partner councils to share consistent emissions data is a key part of Action G, and this measure draws directly on that shared data.
Find out more about our Climate Action Plan.
The district’s emissions are updated every three years in the Christchurch City Council greenhouse gas emissions report.
Download the 2024/25 report for Q1: Christchurch City Council goal – to halve greenhouse gas emissions (excluding methane) by 2030 (PDF file, 166KB)