Managing greenhouse gas emissions

The effects of climate change and management of greenhouse gases are likely to have impacts on air quality in Canterbury/Waitaha.

Here are the current issues associated with the relationship between greenhouse gases and air quality in Waitaha.

Issue: Climate change mitigation and air quality

Bush fire We do not yet know how climate change will affect the ability of the atmosphere to disperse or trap pollutants in Waitaha. Warmer temperatures in the future may result in less woodburning taking place to heat our homes in winter which could lower emissions. This could lead to improved ambient air quality.

Other future air quality issues from climate change effects might include:

  • more frequent and intense smoke from the occurrence of wildfires in Waitaha or smoke from Australian fires

  • increases in odour nuisance as odours intensify in warmer temperatures

  • potential increases in pollutants like ground-level ozone, ammonium sulphate, nitrates, and volatile organic compounds that cause poor air quality

  • greater transportation of marine aerosols (such as sea salt), dust, and pollen which may increase the extent to which these have an impact.

Air quality emissions associated with traditional air pollutants such as black carbon (soot) also contribute to climate change.

The way that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of climate change mitigation can also impact air quality. For example, changing from using gas to biomass as an energy source could increase the amount of PM in the air, while increases in the amount of tree planting will increase pollen levels. There is a need to consider measures designed to meet climate change targets alongside air quality and vice versa.

Current actions or approach

To date, there have been limited statutory actions to support our response to climate change. Recent amendments to the RMA have enabled Regional Councils to consider the global effects of greenhouse gas emissions, but that was not an option when the current plan framework was developed.

The Ministry for the Environment’s reforms to the Resource Management Act (RMA) intend to embed necessary changes to the way we manage land and resources to respond to climate change.  

Further links to:

Ambient air quality   Localised effects of discharges to air

Last updated:

Back to top