Photo: 123RF
A large drop in the amount of coal being burned to make power, and record wind generation, is behind a fall in the latest greenhouse gas emissions figures.
The figures from Stats NZ for the quarter to September 2022 show a quarterly drop of 3.5 percent.
Emissions from the electricity, gas, water and waste manufacturing industries fell by 26 percent compared to the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, the share of power made from renewable sources rose considerably - with hydro up 29 percent, and wind hitting an all time high of 9.7 percent.
Manufacturing emissions dropped for the second quarter in a row reaching nearly 10 year lows.
Significant contributors to the declines came from the petroleum, chemical, polymer, and rubber product manufacturing industries.
Orange traffic light settings for Covid-19 were in place for much of the September quarter.
Quarterly emissions from primary industries - agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining - have been relatively stable over the last five quarters.
Transport, postal, and warehousing services emissions increased 9.3 percent, driven by transport.
Total household emissions increased by 3 percent, and were also dominated by transport.
The overall fall in emissions follows successive increases over the previous three quarters.