Wellington Council Budget Cuts Would Ruin Capital City’s Green Reputation – Green

The Green Party is astounded to read a Wellington City Council working group’s newly released cost-cutting proposal which includes major slash and burn cuts to climate change and transport.

“Our city has been internationally recognised for its leadership in reducing emissions and transforming our transport system. This cost-cutting proposal completely guts that reputation and decades of good Green mahi within the council” says Green Party Wellington Central MP, Tamatha Paul.

“Wellington’s competitive factor is that we are a green city in every sense of the word. There is no stronger mandate for bold climate action than right here in Pōneke. We are one of the only cities in the world where native wildlife is increasing and we are among the highest pubic and active transport users in the country.”

“Our city’s climate emissions have dropped for the first time in a long time, including vehicle emissions which are our biggest emissions, and public and active transport use is up. This didn’t happen by accident. It’s because we took action that the Council seeks to abandon.”

“I was so proud to be a part of the Council that ushered in the plan to become a carbon zero capital city by 2050. This is being gutted by the current leadership in council.”

“Mayor Little must not fall into the classic local government trap of putting short-term thinking before trying to mitigate the climate catastrophe we are seeing all across the country. It’s right in front of our eyes.” says Tamatha Paul.