Applications are now closed for 2026
Purpose of the fund
We’re committed to accelerating emissions reductions across Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt. The Low Carbon Acceleration Fund is designed to help businesses, trusts, and other legal entities on their decarbonisation journey by co-funding up to 50% of eligible projects.
Whether you’re electrifying your fleet, upgrading heating systems, or installing renewable energy technology, this fund aims helps turn your low-carbon plans into action.
Looking to apply?
Applications are now closed for the 2026 funding round. The next round will open for applications in May 2027.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Confirm your organisation meets eligibility criteria
- Prepare evidence of projected emissions reductions
- Obtain quotes for proposed works
- Complete the application form
Supporting resources
Everything you need to know
Hutt City Council has a goal of a 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and the city becoming net zero by 2050. 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.
You must:
- Be a legal entity. This could be a business, club, trust or other legal entity
- Have a project that reduces emissions
- Propose a Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt-based project that would result in a permanent emissions-reduction
Applications will open on 1 May 2026. The application form, detailed criteria and guidance will be available here. If you have any questions or wish to be notified when applications open, please email LCAfund@huttcity.govt.nz
A maximum of $40,000 of 50% co-funding will be available per applicant, noting this is a competitive fund so it is possible not all projects will receive funding.
- 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
Hutt City Council also runs a Community Climate Action fund. This table shows some of the similarities and differences between the two funds.
| Low Carbon Acceleration Fund | Community Climate Action Fund | |
|---|---|---|
| Funding dates | Between 01 May - 01 June 2026 | Between 01 May - 01 June 2026 |
| Funding amount | Up to $40,000.00 of co-founding, meaning applicants need to match funded amount by putting in at least 50% of the cost of a project | Applicants can use short-form application projects under $10,000.00. If applying for more, then applicants must be a legal entity and fill in a more comprehensive application form. Applicants can receive 100% funding for projects. |
| Key eligibility criteria |
- Must reduce emissions. - Must be a legal entity. - Must be able to provide 50% of funding. - Must happen in Lower Hutt. |
- Must reduce emissions or waste. - Applicants wanting more than $10,000 must be a legal entity. - Must be community-led. |
| Where does the funding come from? | Funding comes from the sale of carbon credits from native forests the council owns. The funding envelope changes each year depending on forest growth and carbon price. | Funding has been redirected from the Local Projects and Community Engagement Funds. |
Video description: Webinar Low Carbon Acceleration fund explainer
Past recipients
Succesful applications have included:
- He Puāwai Trust - for an electric van to transport locally produced food across the city - this will replace the use of a diesel ute for deliveries.
- Rudolf Steiner School Trust - for the replacement of single glazing with double glazing to reduce their requirements for heating.
- Wesley (Wellington Misson Incorporated) Rātā Village in Naenae - for replacing a petrol vehicle with an electric vehicle for their staff and residents to use.
- Y Central - for installation of LED lighting in their managed accommodation facilities.
- Youth Inspire - for the purchase of an electric vehicle to provide free driving lessons to rangatahi as part of their programme of helping youth access employment opportunities.
More information
In the 2024 financial year, Lower Hutt emissions were reported to be 514,662 tCO2-e, with transport emissions making up 60% of this and stationary energy making up nearly 30%. While the Council is working hard on reducing its own emissions it also wants to support those across the city accelerate their decarbonisation and move away from fossil fuel reliance.