Pollution in New Zealand

Pollution is an environmental issue in New Zealand with a number of measures being taken to reduce its severity. New Zealand is sometimes viewed as being "clean and green" but this can be refuted due to pollution levels, among other factors. New Zealand does have a relatively low air pollution level,[1] but some areas have high levels of plastic pollution.[2]

Water pollution due to dairy farming in the Wairarapa.

Types

Water pollution
Main article: Water pollution in New Zealand

Water pollution in New Zealand varies depending on the level of development in the water catchment areas. In recent years concerns have been raised about the effect of intensification of dairy farming on water quality. The Drying and Clean Streams Accord was established to address problems with water pollution due to dairy farming.

Marine pollution

Fertiliser runs off farms and yards into nearby rivers and streams, which carry it out to the ocean. It is also carried by the cloud and when it rains it drops in the ocean, which is carried by the current.

Air pollution

Smog was a problem in Christchurch.

New Zealand has a relatively unique greenhouse gas emissions profile. In 2007, agriculture contributed 48.2% of total emissions, energy (including transport); 43.2%, industry; 6.1%, waste; 2.4%. In other Kyoto Protocol Annex 1 countries, agriculture typically contributes about 11% of total emissions.[3] From 1990 to 2007, total greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand increased by 22.1%. Emission increases by sector were - agriculture; 12.1%, energy; 39.2%, industry; 35.0%. Only the small waste sector reduced emissions, by 25.3%.[3]

Legislation

Notable occurrences
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See also

References
  1. New Zealand’s Environmental Reporting Series: Our air 2018 (PDF) (Report). Ministry for the Environment & Stats NZ. 2018.
  2. Ainge Roy, Eleanor (2 July 2018). "New Zealand the most perilous place for seabirds due to plastic pollution". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  3. "New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990–2007". Ministry for the Environment. April 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
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