Pillar Two

Establish a baseline for measuring the visitor economy’s environmental footprint. Define a process for regular re-assessment. Align with Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan, Lighting Strategy, Waste Minimisation and Management Plan.

Understand the current visitor economy’s carbon footprint, including Scope 3 emissions from transportation. Establish a framework and process for ongoing periodic measurement.

This project aims to decarbonise Queenstown Lakes’ visitor economy by 2030 through coordinated action across tourism, business, and community partners. It aligns closely with the Spatial Plan, Climate and Biodiversity Plan, and QLDC’s transport and renewable energy strategies. Achieving carbon zero will require a systems approach, blending private investment, public funding, and philanthropic support. While ambitious, this effort will build momentum through collaboration, transparency, and innovation- creating economic, environmental, and community benefits as Queenstown Lakes moves toward a regenerative, low-carbon future.

Nature (Te Taiao) and its health is very important to our community, with many people choosing to live here specifically because of our unique and special environment. A plan should be developed to ensure the environmental footprint is mitigated. Key issues include: water quality, waste, conservation programmes, light pollution, raising environmental awareness, ecological restoration programmes, environmental regeneration, predator trapping and relevant science programmes. It is vital for local communities to be proactive, as factors contributing to environmental degradation are complex and often hard to see until it is too late.