Waste sector emissions have halved in that time.
This was driven by improved landfill gas capture at Green Island and the introduction of a kerbside organics collection, the Dunedin City Council said.
Coal use emissions dropped 70%, as schools and public institutions such as the University of Otago and Dunedin Hospital moved to low-emissions alternatives, such as biomass, the council said.
Emissions from industrial processes and product use fell 27%.
This was attributed to lower-emissions refrigerants and airconditioning gases in appliances.
However, Dunedin is still very unlikely to hit its 2030 zero-carbon target, which the council set in 2019 when it declared a climate emergency.
Councillors had an immense amount of material put in front of them before a policy
and planning committee meeting last Thursday.
Cr Brent Weatherall wondered how the reporting improved the lives of residents.
‘‘Once again, the complexity of this reporting, although comprehensive, struggles to translate into something meaningful for our ratepayers,’’ he said.
‘‘This is again a report for the sake of reporting.’’
Cr Christine Garey believed the information was meaningful for ratepayers.
‘‘For our mokopuna and our rangatahi, this is pivotal — they understand the importance of it.’’
Some older residents were also engaged in the issues, she said.
Cr Garey referred to costs associated with climate change, such as from storm damage.
‘‘As someone who has experienced the cost of those weather events, along with many members of our community in the South Dunedin [area], I would be apoplectic as a ratepayer if this council was not doing what it needs to do and this city was not doing what it needs to do.’’
Cr Steve Walker said the large decline in coal consumption and reduced emissions from industrial processes highlighted what could be achieved through purposeful action by the council and other organisations and businesses.
Cr Mickey Treadwell said the community supported the council taking steps to reduce its emissions.
Cr Benedict Ong wanted more information about economic development.
He abstained from a vote about noting the Dunedin city greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the 2025 financial year.
Cr Weatherall voted against.
The latest council committee agenda said transport was the city’s highest-emitting sector, responsible for 44% of gross emissions.
Agriculture produced more than 38% of gross emissions.
Both sectors had some improvement.
Transport emissions fell 8%, driven by reductions in emissions from marine freight, cruise ships and air travel, the council said.
Agriculture emissions decreased by 9%, reflecting lower livestock numbers within the council’s boundary.
In a press release last week, council city services general manager Scott MacLean said the drop in total emissions was a step forward for Dunedin.
‘‘Our reductions in coal use and cleaner industrial practices show what’s possible when local institutions and businesses make deliberate changes,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s encouraging to see that practical actions we can control are making a measurable difference in our city’s carbon footprint.’’
