How far are kyoto protocol and carbon neutrality away from us? — A case study of Auckland‘s transport

Since the New Zealand Government signed the Kyoto Protocol some policies and projects have been made and carried out for cutting down carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-e) emissions in this country. Reducing CO2-e emissions from domestic transport becomes one critical object as it has been a main part of total CO2-e emissions. The domestic transport sector itself accounted for 42.3 per cent of total energy sector greenhouse gas emissions in 2006. Total CO2-e emissions from domestic transport have increased by 64.1 per cent from 1990 to 2006. This paper first introduces some troublesome issues happening in Auckland caused by transport emissions. Meanwhile, the authors try to reveal how difficult it is for Aucklanders to achieve the promised level of emissions in accordance with the signature of the Kyoto Protocol. In 2006, New Zealand further released its aim of becoming a ―Carbon Neutral‖ country in the world. Following its determination of becoming ―Carbon Neutral‖ in 2020 this nation must make more concerns about its CO2-e emissions. This paper also articulates what is the sub-aim in the domestic transport sector of Auckland for achieving ―Carbon Neutrality‖.