On 2 December 2020, the Government declared a climate change emergency and committed Aotearoa New Zealand to take urgent action on reducing emissions. As part of this commitment, New Zealand will need to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, as mandated under the Climate Change Response Act 2002 (the CCRA). Transport is responsible for 47 percent of New Zealand's total domestic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and 21 percent of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Transport emissions need to fall significantly, and quickly, to achieve our emissions reductions commitments and targets.

In the document, the authors present four potential pathways for New Zealand to achieve a net zero transport system by 2050.