Such waste diversion projects were deferred until the 2027-2037 long-term plan, the council said.
This would allow budget implications to be considered against other priorities, a report for the policy and planning committee said this month.
Several projects designed to improve waste diversion rates were on hold.
The council said this could negatively affect its ability to achieve its 2030 carbon emissions reduction target.
Timber was a large emissions source for the council, the report said.
The council was still to look at potential incentives for reducing construction and demolition waste and the possibility of setting up a centralised hub for resource recovery and supporting community initiatives.
‘‘Establishment of a centrally located resource recovery hub is likely to have the greatest and most enduring impact on waste-related emissions and this will also be considered as part of the 10-year plan,’’ the report said.
Most delays or scope contractions would not have a material impact on emissions reduction goals.
Reducing waste sent to landfill was critical to achieving the council’s emissions reduction targets, the report said.
Cr Steve Walker noted the existing low rates of diversion of timber and demolition waste.
The future direction for zero-carbon decision-making would largely be dictated by the council next year when it would advance its 10-year-plan, he said.
Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said elected representatives had a moral duty to target sectors that would have the biggest impact, such as waste management and transport.
Cr Andrew Simms said waste management — particularly efficient alternatives to the Green Island landfill — provided the largest opportunity.
‘‘While we continue to dump rubbish on to the ground at Green Island, everything else is moot,’’ he said.
Cr Mickey Treadwell argued the council should not lose sight of what he said was the main point.
‘‘We want to leave a liveable world for the next generation to inherit.’’
