Legislation requires us to build and operate the land transport network in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible. This page highlights some of the ways we fulfil these commitments in our work.
Environmental and social legislation and policy
Along with other public sector organisations, we’re working to improve how we measure and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Carbon Neutral Government Programme. This includes both our corporate emissions and emissions related to improving, maintaining and operating the state highway network. We report annually to the Ministry for the Environment on our progress.
Carbon Neutral Government Programme(external link)
Climate change is modifying the risks posed by natural hazards such as flooding and drought, and accelerating some risks such as sea level rise. We’re committed to ensuring our land transport system is resilient to current and future impacts of climate change. We’re working to better understand and address these risks and progress our actions outlined in New Zealand's National Adaptation Plan. As part of this work we’re continuing to integrate and embed climate risk considerations into our wider risk-management processes.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s first National Adaptation Plan(external link)
It’s our responsibility to enhance the positive effects and minimise the negative effects of our activities on people and communities.
We can do this by enhancing environments, including urban ones, and creating connections for communities through how we design transport systems, infrastructure, or integrate multi-modal transport options.
Landscape values, urban design and landscape design
Multi-modal transport planning and design guidance
To ensure we fulfil the requirements of environmental legislation we’ve developed operational policies, standards and guidelines in specialist areas such as biodiversity, multi-modal transport, climate change, urban design and landscape, and resource management and waste minimisation. We and others working on our behalf follow these when constructing, operating and maintaining our land transport infrastructure.
Our environmental and sustainability operational policies
We have a team of environmental specialists who advise on requirements and best practice.
To find out more, see the Environment and sustainability in our operations section on the Highways Information Portal.
Environment and sustainability in our operations
We’ve developed strategies and plans to set out the actions we’ll take to create a sustainable land transport system.
Toitū Te Taiao – Our Sustainability Action Plan
Te Hiringa o Te Taiao – Our Resource Efficiency Strategy
Tiro Rangi – Our Climate Adaptation Plan 2022–2024
We fund research into innovative and relevant environmental sustainability and social topics that can be cost-effectively applied in New Zealand in the short-to-medium term.
Active research projects, including those related to environmental sustainability
We’re actively involved in the environmental transport sector, both in New Zealand and internationally, by sharing our knowledge and participating in developing environmental research and standards.
This includes involvement in:
Transport Knowledge Hub(external link)
