The urban carbon cycle

Most of the world’s population live in cities, and cities create a lot of carbon dioxide (CO₂) fossil fuel emissions through transport, domestic activities, electricity use and more. Cities are responsible for 70% of CO₂ fossil fuel emissions globally.

Auckland is the largest city in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Auckland, it is estimated that 44% of the total greenhouse gas emissions come from transport! Typically, the concentrations of greenhouse gases are higher in cities than in rural areas because there are significantly higher emissions in highly urbanised areas. In rural areas where there is pasture, lots of methane is emitted!

Related articles

• Aotearoa’s contributions to climate emissions 

• Climate connections – why climate change matters

• COVID-19 and greenhouse gas emissions

• Climate change implications for dairy farming

• Dairy farming and climate change – a context for learning 

Related activities

• Drive it Down! – climate change and carbon cycle quiz

• Climate data analysis

• Interpreting representations using climate data

Useful link

• House of Science Fossil Fuels Kit and Clear the Air Kit – these are available throughout the North Island. You will need an account and subscription to order the kit. This collection supports the Clear the Air kit.