New figures released by Dunedin City Council have revealed the city’s carbon emissions have dropped over the last few years.
“These results show a good first step towards Dunedin’s Zero Carbon goal,” says Mayor, Jules Radich.
He said the latest Dunedin City Community Carbon Footprint shows that Dunedin’s total gross emissions dropped by 9% over the last four years. When carbon absorbed by the city’s forests is included, net emissions were down 21%.
In 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency and set a Zero Carbon 2030 target – a goal for Dunedin to be a carbon neutral city by 2030.
The findings from the Footprint will be presented to the Council meeting on Tuesday, 31 January.
Council’s Principal Policy Analyst, Jinty MacTavish says the Footprint shows the biggest cut in Dunedin’s emissions came from the transport sector. While some of the change is attributable to the pandemic, preliminary analysis also suggests Dunedin people may be making different transport choices, she said.
“We’ve been working on a plan that outlines how as a city, we can get to net zero by 2030. The plan will outline what DCC is going to do to enable the changes that will reduce emissions and meet the community’s other needs and aspirations,” said Ms MacTavish.
“We’re engaging with community groups, businesses and organisations to help shape the plan, and over the next couple of months we’ll be talking to many more.”
Ms MacTavish said feedback from residents will be sought via a public survey.
