Watercare Greenhouse Gas Report on Climate Change

(Source: Google Image, 2010)

The reform of new Auckland governance structure will be implemented on the 1^st of November 2010, this would lead to change in the existing policies on environmental planning and climate change approaches. Auckland is a dynamic and fast growing city, with the rapid growing of population and green house gas emission, it is important to include strategy that will mitigate climate change and prevent human suffering in the new governance structure.

The current Watercare Greenhouse Gas Report plays a crucial part in safeguarding human health and remedying environmental effect. Watercare Greenhouse Gas Report is prepared by the Environmental Planning Unit (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007). The purpose of this report is to minimise emission, reduce carbon footprint and use energy efficiently. This would give effects to collect, treat and dispose of water to six local operators that retail it to more than 1.2 million consumers (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007). Evidence has shown that 88% reduction in greenhouse gas emission achieved since 1990, approximately 7500 CO2 emission per year (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007). The contribution and effectiveness of Watercare operation would emit greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide through the wastewater process.

In order to achieve further greenhouse gas reduction, it requires new government to cooperate with both governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as take into account of the carbon management hierarchy:

1. Avoiding causing emissions

2. Reducing existing emissions

3. Enhancing carbon sinks

4. Capturing emissions and recovering waste energy

5. Purchasing renewable energy and offsets

(Environmental Planning Unit, 2007, p.2).

There are further opportunities over the five years for Watercare to push greenhouse gas emission reduction from 88% to 95% (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007). However, this requires further expenditure on putting sealed roofs on the digesters and provide new gas storage facilities at the wastewater treatment planet (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007).

Environmental Planning Unit, Watercare Greenhouse Gas Report 2007-8.

Google. 2010 http://www.google.co.nz/images?q=Watercare+Greenhouse+Gas+Report&hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&sa=N&start=60&ndsp=20. ()accessed:31/05/2010).