Low Carbon Acceleration Fund

Hutt City written in dark blue with a representation of the river between Hutt and City. In smaller dark blue text below is Te Awa Kairangi. The logo is presented on a mid-blue background with light blue topographical markings. banner image

Please note: the Low Carbon Acceleration Fund is currently closed for applications

Hutt City Council has announced the Low Carbon Acceleration Fund, which when granted will go towards up to 50% co-funding of a project that will result in a permanent step-change in emissions reduction.

Open now, the Fund is open to any eligible legal entity such as a business, charity, incorporated society or trust, provided that the project is being implemented in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai / Lower Hutt.

About the Low Carbon Acceleration Fund

This fund was established to accelerate progress towards a 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and the city becoming net zero by 2050.

Hutt City Council earns carbon credits under the Emissions Trading Scheme for forests in some of its reserves. The units can be sold and the revenue can be used to invest in carbon reduction opportunities. To ensure that the Low Carbon Acceleration Fund is cost neutral to Council, the financial envelope of the Low Carbon Acceleration Fund for each round is based on the number of credits earned in the previous year.

To be successful, applicants must demonstrate there will be a permanent emissions reduction from their proposed project.

Here are the documents you'll need:

Eligibility criteria

You must:

  • Be an eligible legal entity. This could be a business, club, trust or other legal entity
  • Propose a project that would result in a permanent emissions reduction in Lower Hutt

Available funding

A total of $160,000.00 will be available for co-funding in Round #1 (2024) with a maximum of $40,000.00 of co-funding per applicant.

What we fund

In principle, the Fund is open to any Project, provided that:

  • It aligns with the Fund objectives of producing the largest carbon reduction benefits based on a range of criteria
  • It involves the implementation of the Project in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai / Lower Hutt
  • Any co-funding requested is only for the additional part or incremental cost of the Project, relative to business as usual
  • Any technologies involved meet relevant regulatory requirements

What we don’t fund

  • Projects involving the displacement of one fossil fuel by another, or those focused on transitional technologies (e.g. hybrid vehicles)
  • Research and development, or the implementation of technologies or infrastructure that are not yet commercially available (as EECA has a Technology Demonstration Fund for this purpose)
  • Projects involving the installation of insulation or heaters in private homes (as relevant support is available through EECA’s Warmer Kiwi Homes programme)
  • Projects that already receive funding for the same purpose from another public investment fund

How to apply

Fill in our Response form here. If you have any questions, please email LCAfund@huttcity.govt.nz

More information

In the 2021/22 financial year, Lower Hutt emissions were reported to be 475,520 tCO2-e, with transport emissions making up half of this and stationary energy making up another 30%. While the Council is working hard on reducing its own emissions it also wants to support those across the city to make reductions.