Welcome to Gen Less, the home of climate action and ideas
You'll find stories, tools, and a whole range of actions you can take that will cut down energy-related greenhouse gas emissions - and benefit our climate, your wellbeing, and your pocket. Just choose where you want to take action.
Carbon emissions and your carbon footprint
Climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Together, we can take action to reduce emissions by making changes in our everyday lives and the way we do business.
Understanding your carbon footprint is a great place to start — it's made up of everyday choices like how you get around, what you eat, and how much energy you use. The fewer emissions, the smaller your footprint.
You can cut down your footprint by taking actions like swapping the car for a bus or bike one day a week, switching your lightbulbs to LEDs, or shopping carefully, to avoid waste. It all makes a difference.
Gen Less stories
What's new
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Press play on these 6 climate change podcasts
13 October 2021
Check out a few of the leading podcasts on climate change, from Aotearoa and overseas.
- Living Gen Less
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How New Zealanders feel and what we're doing on climate change
12 October 2021
New Zealanders are taking some action on climate change, but we seem to be lagging behind other countries.
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9 climate change books and websites to check out
7 October 2021
We’ve rounded up some of the best reading on climate change, in print and online.
- Living Gen Less
Our latest campaigns
Will we be on the right side of history?
History doesn't remember what you thought. It remembers what you did.
There has never been a more crucial time for us all to mitigate climate change and shape the lives of future generations. Our latest campaign calls on all New Zealanders to take positive climate actions that reduce our energy use and get on the right side of history.
Say no to short car trips
Transport accounts for nearly half of New Zealand's energy-related emissions and Kiwis make more than a billion car trips under 2km every year.
Our 'say no to short car trips' campaign encourages Kiwis to consider climate-friendly modes of transport when making trips under two kilometres. We're also helping to make these journeys easier with the Gen Less ShopPack - a New Zealand-first backpack-style reusable shopping bag that makes it easier to carry shopping while on the move.
More pep, less petrol
EVs offer more charm, while causing less harm to the environment thanks to having zero emissions from fuel.
In our latest campaign, we're letting everyone know how great EVs are — and not just for the environment. They’re zippy to drive, cost less to run, and you can charge them overnight at home. They are also now more affordable than ever.