Big decisions are being made about Dunedin’s climate future - without public input.

In September 2023, Dunedin City Council adopted a Zero Carbon Plan, a pathway to reducing emissions and building a climate-resilient future. They also agreed to develop two investment packages (High and Medium) to implement the Zero Carbon Plan. This was to be included in the Long Term Plan consultation for public feedback.

But in 2025, Councillor Sophie Barker put forward a motion to remove both funding options from the draft plan. This passed 8-7, meaning Dunedin residents no longer have a say on how the Zero Carbon Plan will be funded.

The community was promised an opportunity to consult on how much should be invested in our climate future. That has now been taken away. We’re giving Dunedin their say by running the public consultation that should have happened.

Funding the Zero Carbon Plan means reducing emissions, building climate resilience, and creating healthier and more sustainable communities. It means investing in low-carbon transport, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure that will help Dunedin meet its climate goals while improving the quality of life for current and future generations. Investing in zero carbon initiatives now means avoiding the higher economic, environmental, and social costs of climate change in the future – and reaping the benefits in the meantime!

Without proper funding, the Zero Carbon Plan will remain as words on paper, and Dunedin risks falling behind on international climate targets. That’s why Council agreed to explore a high-investment package to implement the plan, with a medium-investment option to fall back on.

Although some projects being funded by Council will contribute to its zero carbon goals, these aren’t enough to have a meaningful impact. When the draft proposed 9 year budget was presented in January, just 3.7% ($69m) would go towards core emissions reduction projects.

Medium investment package

This option focused on essential projects to advance the city’s zero carbon objectives, but at a slower pace.

• Selective public transport improvements: Targeted enhancements in high-traffic areas to encourage public transit use.
• Priority cycling and walking paths: Construction of key routes to connect major hubs and residential areas.
• Pilot renewable energy initiatives: Implementation of small-scale renewable projects to assess feasibility.
• Energy efficiency assessments: Conducting audits to identify opportunities for future building improvements.
• Public workshops: Hosting events to engage the community in sustainability discussions.

The estimated cost for the medium package was $35.54 million in capital expenditure and $23.69 in operational expenditure over 9 years ($59.23 million total).

Make a submission on how Dunedin City Council should fund the Zero Carbon Plan. This is a community-led consultation. By completing the form below, you will be part of a community submission that will be presented to Councillors as part of the Long Term Plan consultation.

How did Councillors vote?

* Motion: “That the council adopts the 2030 zero-carbon plan”.

** Motion: “That the council requests further development of the high-investment scenario for plan implementation as its preferred option, and alternatively a medium-investment scenario, for consideration in the draft 2024-34 long-term plan”.

*** Motion: “That the council decides not to include either high or medium options in the draft nine-year plan because all the papers considered by Council as part of the 9 year plan had Zero carbon assessments”.