Counting Canaries

Walking advocates welcome the move towards a new National Environmental Reporting Act by the National Government, supported by the Green Party.

Walking should receive a boost under the new act says Liz Thomas, Director of Living Streets Aotearoa.

“NZ has only patchy data on walking, yet walkers are like canaries, an indicator species for sustainable cities, including public health and local economic vitality.”

“If New Zealanders are serious about meeting environmental and sustainable goals, we need to raise our game when it comes to environmental reporting, including climate friendly transport like walking and cycling.”

You can’t manage what you don’t measure, and a more accurate account of walking will see it take a more important role in transport planning and environmental management.

Cities and towns need accurate transport data to monitor trips and evaluate environment impact. Currently councils are struggling with limited data on sustainable transport.

Census travel data is incomplete and the National Travel Survey is too general and infrequent for accurate or responsive transport planning. As an example the 2010 Wellington Regional Transport Strategy refers to walking statistics from as long ago as 2001.

CO2 produced in this country from transport can be reduced with a better mix of walking and other modes. Many trips can be walked or cycled as two thirds of urban trips in New Zealand are less than 6km and one third are less then 3km, which is about a 30 minute walk. Transport comes into the emissions trading scheme in 2011.

ENDS

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