Greenhouse gas emissions decreased in 11 out of 16 regions in New Zealand in the year ended December 2022, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

Waikato had the largest decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions, between 2021 and 2022, down 2,069 kilotonnes (13 percent), followed by Northland, down 540 kilotonnes (13 percent), and Manawatū-Whanganui, down 271 kilotonnes (4.8 percent).

Between 2021 and 2022, emissions in the Waikato region from electricity, gas, water, and waste services decreased 1,760 kilotonnes (39 percent), while emissions from agriculture, forestry, and fishing fell by 277 kilotonnes (3.5 percent).

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There are a few things that need to be said about this:

A.) In the website article, it states, “In 2022, Northland’s emissions decrease was driven by manufacturing, down 498 kilotonnes (33 percent), largely due to the cessation of oil refining activity in the region. Emissions from agriculture, forestry, and fishing were also down 38 kilotonnes (2.0 percent).” In other words the decline is in effect due to a decline in economic activity. B.) Therefore the more of a recession the region is in, the more this decline. C.) The only ‘Greenhouse gas’ mentioned is Carbon-Dioxide and the decline is actually bad news, we need more not less of it. D.) By far the most significant ‘greenhouse gas’ is water vapour and that doesn’t get measured by Stats, although humidity levels will be a measure. —Eds