Cars, trucks and planes are contributing to climate change, but it turns out out homes in this country are as well.

Researchers have revealed they are emitting five times more carbon than they should, if we want to curb climate change by staying within two degrees of global warming.

The Building Research Association of New Zealand says our houses need to shrink their carbon footprints by up to 80 percent.

Principal scientist David Dowdell told Tim Dower there are two main things contributing to carbon emissions.

"Not only are we all using far too much power, but building bigger houses with more material is also a contributor as well."

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