Climate Change Wairarapa

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We listened to our community when they said they wanted our council to take more meaningful actions towards mitigating the effects of climate change.
Our Climate Change Advisor, Mélanie Barthe was appointed in September 2019 to write a strategy for South Wairarapa District Council and Carterton District Council outlining what meaningful action we can take to reduce the effects of climate change in their daily council operations.
The Ruamāhanga Strategy was first adopted in 2020 and revised in 2021.

2021 strategy Vol 1: strategy
2021 strategy Vol 2: action plan

As part of its action plan SWDC measure its greenhouse gas emissions every year since 2018:
SWDC 2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Other GHG inventories are also available:
The Wairarapa GHG inventory
Wellington region GHG inventory

Council Projects

South Wairarapa District Council has committed to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Climate change mitigation means reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change adaptation means adapting to the impacts of climate change such as increased flooding risks, etc. In that respect, South Wairarapa District works on important projects such as:

Home Health Assessment Kit
Water conservation
Recycling and zero waste
Conservation week
Climate Change Dashboard (below)
Note that the Volume 2 of the Ruamāhanga Strategy (Action Plan) provides an update on the work done on all the actions listed in the strategy.

Climate Change Projections in the Wairarapa

	2040*	2090*	2040**	2090**
Max temperature	+0.75 – 1.25°C	+1.25 – 1.75°C	+0.75 – 1.50°C	+2.50 – 4.00°C
Minimum temperature	+0.50 – 0.75°C	+0.75 – 1.25°C	+0.50 – 0.75°C	+1.50 – 2.50°C
Hot days	Up to +20 days	+1 to +30 days	Up to +30 days	+5 to +70 days
Heatwave days	Up to +20 days	Up to +30 days	Up to +20 days	Up to +70 days
Rainfall	-2% to +4%	±4%	-2% to +8%	±8%
99th percentile daily rainfall	-1 to +15%	+2 to +15%	+1 to +15%	+3 to +30%
Dry spells	+1 to + 12 days	-4 to +10 days	-1 to +10 days	+1 to +12 days
Windy days	-5 to +5 days	-1 to +6 days	+1 to +5 days	+2 to +12 days

* RCP4.5 ** RCP8.5

	Upper Projection 2040	Lower Projection 2040	Intermediate Projection 2090	Upper Projection 2090
Projected Sea Level Rise	+0.50m	+0.50m	+1.00m	+1.50m

	2040	2090
Fire hazard	+100% to +150%	+100% to +150%

Want to find more information?

What can you do?

I am a resident

As a resident, there are many things you can do. A good place to start is to measure your carbon footprint to understand your greenhouse gas emissions. Tools such as FutureFit even gives you personalised actions that can help you reduce your footprint.

Measure you carbon footprint:
o Future Fit
o Carbon Neutral NZ Trust, household calculator
o Ekos calculators – for individuals and households (lifestyle calculator)
Reduce your carbon footprint:
o Everyday life
o At home
o On the move
Assess and improve the health of your house

I am a farmer

Farmers have a huge role to play in both climate change mitigation and adaptation. He Waka Eke Noa is a five-year programme that will equip farmers and growers with the information, tools and support they need to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change.

‘Know your number’ (measure your carbon footprint):
o He Waka Eke Noa tools
o Know your number
Reduce your farm emissions:
o GHG Farm Planning guidance
o Ag Matters
You can find more information about this programme here:
He Waka Eke Noa
Ag Matters

I am a business

As a business, there are many things you can do. A good place to start is to measure your carbon footprint to understand your greenhouse gas emissions. The climate action toolbox can help your business reduces its carbon emissions

Measure your business carbon footprint:
o Carbon Neutral NZ Trust, business calculator
o Ekos calculators – for businesses, schools and events
Reduce your business carbon footprint
Climate action toolbox
Assess and improve the health of your office(s)