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Planning and Environment Committee
13 February 2018
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Planning and Environment Non-Financial
Activity Report for the Quarter Ended 31 December 2017
Department: Community and Planning
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This
report updates the Committee on activities including city development, resource
consents, building services, alcohol licensing, environmental health, animal
control and parking enforcement.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Committee:
a) Notes the
Planning and Environment Non-Financial Activity Report for the Quarter Ended
31 December 2017.
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BACKGROUND
2 The
Community and Planning group of activities works with other agencies to set the
direction for managing Dunedin’s built and natural environment, and is responsible
for promoting the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources
through its administration of the functions of the Council under the Resource
Management Act 1991 (RMA).
3 Regulatory
Services contributes directly to the Safe and Health City outcome which is a
part of the Social Wellbeing Strategy and enhances personal safety in relation
to building services, animal services, health licensing, the sale and supply of
alcohol and parking enforcement.
DISCUSSION
Service
and Satisfaction
4 The
Residents’ Opinion Survey (ROS) is the principal mechanism by which the
Council measures resident satisfaction with a wide range of its activities.
5 From July
2016 the ROS has been conducted on a continuous monthly basis, aiming to obtain
around 100 responses each month, to replicate the average annual sample size of
around 1,200 obtained in previous years. The quarterly results in the graphs
below generally reflect the response of around 300 residents. A sample of 300
has an expected 95% confidence interval (margin error) or +/- 5.7%, whereas the
annual result for 2015/16 had a margin error or +/- 2.5%. Aggregate results for
the year will continue to be published in the annual ROS report. Notable
results are listed in the balance of this report.
Satisfaction
with Look and Feel of the City
6 A 7%
decrease in satisfaction with ‘overall look and feel of the city’
was reported as at 31 December 2017.
Satisfaction
with Regulatory Services
7 A 6%
decrease in satisfaction with ‘Regulatory Services’ was reported as
at 31 December 2017.
Value
and Efficiency
Resource Consents
8 During the
quarter all applications were processed within the statutory timeframe. The
number processed each month was 105, 93 and 72. The graph shows resource
consent processing on a monthly basis over the last five years up to December
2017. The blue line shows the percentage meeting the statutory deadline; ranges
from 97 to 100. The red line shows the number of resource consents granted each
month; five year average is 71. The fluctuation is normal. The low points are
normally the December to January summer holiday period.
Building Consents
9 Over the 12 month period,
record numbers of building consent applications/amendments were received at
2,776 (2,703 in 2016). This is coupled with unprecedented results as both
processing of building consent applications and code compliance certificates
achieved over 99% (99.13% and 99.83% respectively) completions within the statutory
20 working days in 2017.
The external auditors (IANZ) report dated October 2017 noted the Dunedin
Building Consent Authority (BCA) as low risk and identified only four general
non-compliances. These non-compliances have been worked through with papers
recently submitted to IANZ to complete.
10 Overall consents values for the quarter totalled $65.2M
with the year finishing at $284.3M. Live consent numbers as at 31 December 2017
were 134. Following the departure of two processing officers and the need to
re-recruit, pressure is likely to be seen on the processing turnaround times as
we move into busier periods. The assessment of the need to continue to
outsource consent applications may be deferred pending the latest recruitment
exercise.
Alcohol Licensing
11 The number of
on-licensed premise remains lower than the corresponding time last year.
12 Premises changing
ownership is not reflected in the number of licences currently in Dunedin.
13 The number of
off-licence premises has stabilised after some activity in July and August of
2017.
14 The number of
special licence and manager’s certificate applications received each
month fluctuates during the year depending on the season.
Environmental Health
15 The percentage of
‘A’ grade food premises remain in line with the previous months.
Environmental Health - Noise
16 The number of noise
complaints received in November and December is the highest recorded in the
last nine years. This increase is probably due to the warm weather with
residents more likely to have their windows open and entertain outside.
Animal Services
17 The new
‘Roaming’ measure includes the number of wandering dogs collected
while officers are patrolling and those that are reported wandering or
contained by residents. Compared to the same time in 2016 there has been a
reduction in the number of complaints about aggressive dogs and dogs attacking
people, however there has been an increase in the number of complaints relating
to dogs attacking stock or other dogs.
Parking Services
18 The number of
infringements issued has dropped for a number of reasons, including better
compliance from the public (illustrated by higher parking revenue), and the
removal of some metered parks.
19 Compared to the same
time in 2016 there has been an increase in blocked vehicle entrance complaints
and a decrease in complaints relating to blocked lease car parks and commercial
use of footpaths
Major
Initiatives
20 The following
section is not confined to the October to December 2017 quarter and also
provides updates on the current status of the initiatives.
21 Proposed Second
Generation Dunedin City District Plan (2GP) - Hearings on the 2GP commenced
in May 2016 and finished in December 2017. Of the 29 decision reports needed
for the overall 2GP decision, 15 full decision reports and 4 partial decisions
are with the 2GP Hearings Panel for consideration. The 2GP Panel have two
meetings scheduled for early 2018 (February 14–17 and April 18–20)
to work through these reports and any decision details needing finalisation.
22 It is anticipated
that the 2GP Hearing Panel will finalise decisions by early May and decision
reports completed by end of June. Once decisions have been completed, the
process of producing the ‘clean’ decision-version of the 2GP and
accompanying plain English documents can be commenced. This is expected to take
approximately 13 weeks. At this stage we are hoping to notify decisions by
the end of July.
23 Dunedin
Waterfront - The vision for Dunedin’s waterfront, launched in
November 2017, remains on public display at Toitu Settlers Museum. As at 26
January, of the 2008 people who provided feedback at Toitu: 80%
(1602 comments) were positive; 14% (285 comments) were neutral or posed
questions and 6% (121 comments) were negative. Staff are analysing the feedback
including the issues raised as part of the feasibility assessment work.
24 Discussions are
being initiated with a range of potential funders, including private investors
and central government. The Prime Minister was briefed on the vision when she
visited Dunedin on 26 January and the potential for funding from the
Government’s Regional Development fund was discussed.
25 In addition to
progressing feasibility work and funding discussions, staff are talking with
other local authorities (including Auckland and Wellington) about effective
governance and delivery models. The intention is to incorporate the
lessons learnt from other waterfront developments in establishing a model which
allows for the unique and specific circumstances in Dunedin.
26 Heritage
Monitoring Programme – Fieldwork has largely been completed for this
project. The data will be analysed over February with the goal of
producing a monitoring report to be considered by this Committee. Support from
building owners during fieldwork has been largely positive, and the contact with
building owners as part of this project also enabled staff to promote the
advice and support available from the DCC and the Dunedin Heritage Fund to
heritage building owners at the same time.
27 Heritage Funding
– The first round of the Central City Heritage Reuse Grant Scheme
allocated $53k in October 2017. The Dunedin Heritage Fund Committee met
in November for the spring round and allocated $188k. The Fund Committee
also met in December 2017 and allocated $100k towards the repairs to the
steeple of the First Church of Otago.
28 Delivery on Te Ao
Tūroa – A number of initiatives are moving forward including:
the development of a stakeholder workshop on the Town Belt in March as part of
the Town Belt Boost work; a grant scheme in place for 2017/18 to progress
delivery against Goal Three of the strategy – Dunedin people care for the
natural world Tiakitaka; and the development of monitoring indicators.
29 Port Environment
Noise Liaison Committee - The most recent meeting of the Liaison Committee
was held on Tuesday 7 November 2017. (Kevin Winders – CEO Port Otago,
Chair – over 30 residents and committee members present). A bus tour of
the port preceded the meeting. Extension of the multi-purpose wharf is underway
with 12 piles in so far. DCC Environmental Health have carried out construction
noise monitoring and the activity has been within limits: Lmax measured 80 dBA
– allowed 85dBA. Consent has been granted for the recreational fishing
wharf.
30 Steve Rushbrook was
introduced to the meeting as the new Harbour Master. He is from the UK and
employed by the Otago Regional Council. The Otago Harbour Action Group was
present. Their main concern was beach erosion at Te Rauone Beach. They wished
to establish closer links with Port Otago as well as liaising with DCC. Concern
was raised by local residents about a road slump near Hudson’s Boat House
at Carey’s Bay. DCC Transport Staff have been contacted. Kevin Winders
said voluntary speed restrictions for trucks travelling through the main street
of Port Chalmers have been implemented. Trucks are adhering to the 30 km/hr
restriction. In discussion with Kevin there was strong support from the meeting
for a speed read out sign to be established on the main street. In response to
an assertion from the floor that the DCC was not being responsive to community
concerns about port operations Kevin Winders said he had set up regular
meetings with Sue Bidrose.
Capital
Projects
31 Central City Plan
(CCP) – Tendering for stage III/IV of the Warehouse Precinct upgrades
is underway with work expected to commence in the final quarter of 2017/18. Two
CCP workshops have been held with Councillors to assist in the development of
the streets and open spaces guide which will inform the master planning for the
balance of the central city work. A full report on the streets and open spaces
guide will be provided to the Planning and Environment Committee in due
course. CCP options will be consulted on as part of the 10 Year Plan
process.
31 Octagon
Paving Trial - To date, there have been 142 written responses to the paving
trial in The Octagon. These have been collected via a survey form provided on
line and paper forms on site. All of the respondents were local except for one.
Generally, comments have focused on the look and feel of the pavers or the
performance of the pavers with regard to slip resistance. The light grey
honed/smooth pavers in the larger format tended to be favoured for looking
better and being more comfortable to walk on while the rough surface pavers
were favoured because of slip resistance. A herringbone pattern was
favoured by the majority of respondents and there was a general consensus that
trial provided a better option than the existing clay pavers, although there was
also some concern about the need for more colour in the streetscape around The
Octagon. Some respondents noted that the test area was not typical of the
entire central city and that a selection of pavers should be used to respond to
a variety of slopes and conditions. Some respondents had special
concerns/opinions based on mobility needs.
OPTIONS
32 As this is
an update report there are no options.
NEXT STEPS
33 A further update
report will be provided after the conclusion of the next quarter.
Signatories
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Author:
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Nicola Pinfold - Group Manager Community and Planning
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Authoriser:
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Adrian Blair - Group Manager Customer and Regulatory
Services
Sandy Graham - General Manager Strategy and Governance
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Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
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SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose
of Local Government
This report relates to providing a public service and it
is considered good-quality and cost-effective.
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Fit with strategic
framework
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Contributes
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Detracts
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Not applicable
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Social Wellbeing Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Economic Development Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Environment Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Arts and Culture Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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3 Waters Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Spatial Plan
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Integrated Transport Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Parks and Recreation Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Other strategic projects/policies/plans
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☒
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☐
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☐
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The Planning and Environment portfolio of activities
support the outcomes of a number of strategies.
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Māori Impact
Statement
There are no known impacts for tangata whenua.
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Sustainability
As an update report, there are no specific implications
for sustainability.
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LTP/Annual Plan /
Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy
As an update report, there are no implications for the
LTP, although some measures are level of service performance measures
annually reported as part of the LTP.
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Financial considerations
The updates reported are within existing operating and
capital budgets.
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Significance
This decision is considered of low significance under the
Significance and Engagement Policy.
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Engagement –
external
As an update report, no external engagement has been
undertaken.
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Engagement -
internal
As an update report, no internal engagement has been
undertaken. Input to the major initiatives and project updates has been
provided by teams within Regulatory Services and Community and Planning
Groups, with the Group Manager Transport also providing input regarding the
Central City Plan.
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Risks: Legal /
Health and Safety etc.
There are no identified risks.
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Conflict of
Interest
There are no known conflicts of interest.
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Community Boards
There are no specific implications for Community Boards.
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Planning and Environment
Committee
13 February 2018
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Dunedin's Emissions Reduction Targets
Department: Community and Planning
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This
report provides an update on progress to meet requirements for participation in
the ‘Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy’ (previously
the ‘Compact of Mayors’).
2 Following
pre-consultation with various city stakeholders, potential citywide greenhouse
gas emissions reduction targets are proposed for the Council’s
consideration. The Council may consider undertaking wider community
engagement before adopting a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for
Dunedin.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Committee:
a) Recommends a
preferred greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for Dunedin to Council
for approval.
b) Considers whether
or not to further engage with the community on greenhouse gas emissions
reduction target for Dunedin.
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BACKGROUND
3 In
November 2015 the Council resolved to commit to the (then) ‘Compact of
Mayors’. Following a merger with the ‘Covenant of
Mayors’ this body is now known as the ‘Global Covenant of Mayors
for Climate and Energy’ (‘the Covenant’).
4 The
Covenant represents 7,500 city leaders committed to reducing their
cities’ greenhouse gas emissions (‘emissions’) and preparing
for impacts of climate change, using standardised reporting and protocols.
Wellington City Council and Auckland Council are also participants. Complying
with the Covenant involves:
· within the first year of commitment, completing and
reporting a citywide emissions inventory by sector, assessing the current
impacts of climate change;
· within the second year of commitment, setting
emissions reduction targets, a way to track progress and conducting a climate
change vulnerability assessment; and,
· within the third year of commitment, establishing an
action plan demonstrating how the city will deliver on its commitment and adapt
to climate change.
5 Dunedin's
emissions inventory and its climate risks and vulnerability assessment were
developed with specialist assistance from consultancy AECOM. These were
approved by the Council in March 2017 for formal submission to the
Covenant. At that time it was foreshadowed that stakeholder engagement on
potential citywide emission reduction targets would occur. AECOM also
assisted this process.
6 Engagement
with Te Ao Tūroa and Grow Dunedin partners has been undertaken
collectively and in many cases individually, including Federated Farmers, the
Otago Chamber of Commerce’s Energy Committee and the Otago Regional
Council. Engagement involved:
· presentation of Dunedin’s detailed emissions
inventory for 2014/15;
· consideration of the international context for
Dunedin’s emissions targets; and,
· discussion on the scope, type and depth of emissions
reduction targets appropriate for Dunedin.
7 A summary
of these matters and stakeholders’ feedback is included in this report.
Dunedin’s
emissions inventory in 2014/15
8 In
2014/15 Dunedin generated an estimated 1,427,420 tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent (tCO2e) emissions in gross terms. Net emissions were 1,091,282 tCO2e
after excluding 336,138 tCO2e of land use/change and forestry offsets. In
per capita terms, gross emissions were 11.4 tCO2e per person and net emissions
8.7 tCO2e per person.
9 Almost
half of Dunedin's emissions (48.2%) come from the agriculture sector;
transportation contributed 28.4% of total emissions; stationary energy
contributed 13.4%; waste contributed 7.4%; and industry related emissions
(including refrigerant gasses) contributed 2.4%.
10 This inventory is
distinct from other New Zealand cities in that a large proportion of
Dunedin’s emissions come from the agricultural sector, more similar to
New Zealand as a whole as shown in the graph below:
11 The high proportion
of agricultural emissions has consequences for emissions target setting,
including a potential ‘two baskets’ approach in which different
targets might apply to agricultural emissions than to other emissions,
discussed later in this report.
International
context for Dunedin’s emissions targets
12 The Covenant’s
vision statement is: We envision a world where committed mayors and local
governments – in alliance with partners – accelerate ambitious,
measurable climate and energy initiatives that lead to an inclusive, just,
low-emission and climate resilient future, helping to meet and exceed the Paris
agreement objectives.
13 The Paris Agreement
seeks to limit global average temperature increase to less
than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels while aiming for less than 1.5
degrees, by achieving net zero emissions in the second half of this century
(i.e. before 2100).
14 The
Intergovernmental Panel and Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report
states that atmospheric CO2e concentrations of 450 parts per million by 2100
are required to limit warming to 2 degrees. Multiple mitigation pathways
can achieve this outcome if they remain within a finite global ‘carbon
budget’ over the period to 2100. The earlier mitigation actions
occur, the more likely this ‘carbon budget’ can be met.
15 ‘Nationally
determined contributions’ (NDCs) submitted by nations as part of the
Paris Agreement are, so far, unlikely to be sufficient to limit global average temperature increases to less than 2 degrees.
16 Covenant
cities participated in the Paris Agreement process, proposing cities’
emissions reductions can and should go further than those of nations’
given cities’ unique influence on sectors including transportation, the
built environment and waste management.
17 AECOM has advised
that a global carbon budget with a 67 per cent
probability of limiting global warming to 2 degrees would be
to limit emissions to 1,700 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2e between 2000 and
2050. Between 2000 and 2012, 610 GtCO2e has already been emitted globally
(36% of the 1,700 GtCO2e allowance) at a rate of around 7.0 tCO2e per person
per year. This leaves a carbon budget ‘allowance’ of around
3.4 tCO2e per person per year in the period from 2013 to 2050. As noted
earlier, Dunedin’s net emissions were 8.7 tCO2e per person in
2014/15.
Scope,
type and depth of emissions targets for Dunedin
18 The Covenant
requires emissions targets to be measured and reported consistent with the GHG Protocol’s Mitigation Goal Standard 2014.
Within this, a city can select its ‘boundary’ (e.g. urban areas
only). All stakeholders supported the adoption of citywide targets
for Dunedin, consistent with a global carbon budget (i.e. no
discounting of emissions produced within the city).
19 Targets
can be expressed as a simple percentage reductions from a base year, or a more
complex ‘intensity target’ where percentage reductions are measured
as a function of another variable (e.g. per capita, or per unit of GDP).
All stakeholders supported the adoption of a simple percentage reduction,
again, consistent with a carbon budget (i.e. no discounting of emissions for
population or economic growth).
20 Stakeholders
generally accepted that Dunedin’s base year should be 2014/15, as this is
the first year for which a detailed emissions inventory for the city has been
calculated.
21 Nations
and cities generally adopt targets over multiple periods (e.g.
Wellington’s targets cover each decade from 2020 to 2050) and increase
over time. Stakeholders supported such an approach for Dunedin, with some
stakeholders recommending five-yearly targets (discussed further below).
22 Stakeholders
expressed a range of views with respect to emissions offsetting (the capture
and storage of emissions through forestry or other activities). All
stakeholders supported the inclusion of nationally recognised offsets created
within the city (e.g. those eligible under the New Zealand Emissions Trading
Scheme and the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative). Stakeholders generally
supported the inclusion of offsets sourced outside the city if verified under
national schemes. Stakeholders generally supported the inclusion of measurable
offsets created within the city even if not verified under a national scheme.
Stakeholders did not support the city sourcing offsets
offshore.
23 Stakeholders
noted that in May 2016 the Council adopted Te Ao Tūroa, Dunedin’s
Environment Strategy 2016-2026. One of the strategy’s three
goals is that: Dunedin is resilient and carbon zero. However the
strategy does not specify a period in which this goal is to be achieved.
Other city strategies and plans also aim to reduce emissions, without setting
targets.
24 Stakeholders noted (current)
national and other city targets shown below:
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Auckland City
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Wellington City
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New Zealand
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Period
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Reduction on 1990 levels of …
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Reduction on 2001 levels of …
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Reduction on 2005 levels of …
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2020
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10%-20%
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10%
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NA
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2030
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NA
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40%
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30% (NZ’s first NDC, set in 2016)
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2040
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40%
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65%
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NA
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2050
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50%
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80%
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50% (set in 2011)
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25 Stakeholders
were invited to consider targets that may represent an appropriate balance of
‘aspiration and feasibility’ for Dunedin over time.
Stakeholder acknowledged targets consistent with the Paris Agreement’s
goals should be adopted.
Recent
developments
26 At its meeting of 17
October 2017 the Council’s Planning and Environment Committee resolved to
endorse Generation Zero’s call on the New Zealand Parliament to pass a
‘Zero Carbon Act’ including a legally binding
target of net zero carbon by 2050 or sooner (but not equally applicable to all
emissions, as discussed further below).
27 Generation
Zero’s proposal is based on the United Kingdom’s
Climate Change Act, which requires: … that the net UK
carbon account for the year 2050 is at least 80% lower than the 1990
baseline. The UK Government sets five yearly
national ‘carbon budgets’ after considering advice from an
independent Committee for Climate Change.
28 On
18 December 2017 the new government announced an independent
Climate Change Commission would be established in early 2018 and consultation
on a Zero Carbon Bill would commence from May 2018.
29 A
Productivity Commission inquiry into options for New Zealand to ‘reduce
domestic emissions and transition towards a low emissions future while
continuing to grow incomes and wellbeing’ is expected to report in early
2018.
DISCUSSION
Stakeholder
engagement to date
30 Stakeholders engaged
to date supported the adoption of a series of ‘net’ emissions
reduction targets over the period 2020 to 2050 covering citywide emissions from
all sectors.
31 Stakeholders
generally supported Dunedin’s emissions reduction ambitions being more
aspirational than the (current) New Zealand national targets, while recognising
the particular challenges associated with agricultural emissions.
Agricultural
emissions
32 Dunedin’s
gross emissions profile is similar to that of New Zealand as a whole, with
almost half of all emissions coming from the agricultural sector. New
Zealand’s current targets partly reflect a view that options for reducing
agricultural emissions, which are mostly methane (CH4) emissions, are less well
developed than for other sectors.
33 Emissions
of all kinds (including carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane) are usually
converted into carbon dioxide equivalent for the purposes of emissions
accounting. However the IPCC has recognised that because carbon dioxide
remains in the atmosphere for centuries, it will remain the main driver of
global average temperature increases, whereas short-lived gases such as methane
are relatively less of a driver.
34 The
Zero Carbon Act proposed by Generation Zero suggested the possibility of a
‘two baskets’ approach – one target for long-lived emissions
(mainly carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide ) and another for short-lived
emissions (mainly methane). The net zero carbon by 2050 target would not
apply to methane, but a different target set for methane consistent with Paris
Agreement goals.
35 The Productivity
Commission inquiry is considering this approach. Consultation on a Zero Carbon Bill would also be expected to address this
matter.
36 A
‘two baskets’ approach for Dunedin’s targets has not been
discussed in detail with stakeholders to this point. If adopted, such an
approach would be likely to influence stakeholders’ preferences around
targets.
Potential
targets
37 AECOM
has suggested reductions of 20-30% by 2030, of
40%-50% by 2040 and 60-80% by 2050 would be ‘aspirational but can be
achieved.’ These reductions assumed all emissions would be included,
rather than a ‘two baskets’ approach.
38 As noted earlier,
one of Te Ao Tūroa’s goals is that Dunedin is
carbon zero and the Council’s Planning and Environment Committee
resolved to endorse Generation Zero’s proposal for a ‘Zero Carbon
Act.’
39 Two potential
emission reduction targets are suggested for the Council’s
consideration:
· a
‘Zero Carbon Act target’ which seeks to achieve a net 100%
reduction by 2050 consistent with the Council’s recent resolution on a
Zero Carbon Act, which may be feasible if limited to long-lived emissions and
another target is developed for methane emissions; or
· a
‘Paris Agreement target’ which seeks to achieve a net 80% reduction
by 2050 consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the Covenant,
stakeholders’ preference for a target more aspirational than the current
national targets, and which may feasibly apply to all emissions.
40 These
targets and indicative five-year carbon reduction budgets are summarised
below:
|
|
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‘Zero Carbon pathway’
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‘Paris Agreement pathway’
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Period
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Reduce net 2014/15 CO2e (excluding CH4) by:
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Reduce net 2014/15 CO2e (including CH4) by:
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Indicative five yearly target
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2025
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20%
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15%
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2030
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40%
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30%
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2035
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60%
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45%
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2040
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80%
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60%
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2045
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90%
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75%
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2050
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100%
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80%
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41 The next phase of
Covenant participation requires development of an action plan to identify and
measure progress against the achievement of the adopted emissions reductions
target. This would be the point at which five yearly carbon budgets could
be developed. It should be noted that this process would be similar to the
approach that the Climate Commission would undertake at a national
level.
42 The
potential sources of emission reduction in Dunedin, by proportion of total
emissions, are shown in the chart below:
43 Other cities have
set targets for 2020. Setting a 2020 target now for Dunedin would leave
less than two years for Dunedin to implement reduction actions. It is not
yet known whether Dunedin’s emissions have increased or decreased since 2014/15.
A five yearly carbon budget for the period from 2020 to 2025 could be an
objective of the first action plan required to be developed as part of Covenant
participation in 2018.
44 The phasing of
targets between 2020 and 2050 could reflect an expectation that mitigation
options will become increasingly feasible – for example, if and when
emission trading scheme prices increase or new technologies become
available. Phasing can also recognise that achieving reductions may
become more difficult in later years as least-cost options are exhausted (as
shown in the indicative five-yearly budgets above).
45 To determine
potential actions and contributions, staff intend to use an interactive
scenario planning tool known as ‘Climate Action for Urban
Sustainability’ (‘CURB’). This was developed through
collaboration between the World Bank Group, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership
Group, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and AECOM. The tool can be customised
with data from Dunedin’s emissions inventory.
OPTIONS
Option
One – Recommended option: Adopt a ‘Zero Carbon’ emissions
reduction target
46 This option would
target a net reduction in Dunedin’s emissions, excluding methane, of 100%
by 2050. Offsets either created in Dunedin, or nationally certified
offsets from elsewhere in New Zealand, would be permitted. A separate
target for methane could be developed at a later date, possibly
reflecting any approach taken nationally.
Advantages
· Consistent
with the Council’s earlier resolution supporting a Zero Carbon Act.
· Consistent
with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the Covenant, and
stakeholders’ preference for a target more aspirational than the current
national targets.
Disadvantages
· Without
a ‘two baskets’ approach, may not balance aspiration with feasibility.
Option
Two – Adopt a ‘Paris Agreement’ emissions reduction target
47 This option would
target a reduction in Dunedin’s emissions, including methane, of a net
80% by 2050. Offsets either created in Dunedin, or nationally certified offsets
from elsewhere in New Zealand, would be permitted.
Advantages
· Consistent
with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the Covenant and
stakeholders’ preference for a more aspirational target than the current
national targets.
· May
achieve a similar result to a ‘Zero Carbon’ target without the need
for a separate methane emissions target.
Disadvantages
· The
inclusion of methane will limit the flexibility to distinguish short-lived
gases.
Option
Three - Status Quo: Continue engagement on an emissions reduction target
48 This option would
delay adoption of an emission target for Dunedin, but would allow for specific
feedback on the options presented. This may also all consultation to
align with national consultation on a Zero Carbon Act.
Advantages
· May
allow for the adoption by Council of target more consistent with a Zero Carbon
Act, once enacted.
Disadvantages
· May
delay action planning and the achievement of emission reductions in Dunedin.
· May
jeopardise the Council’s ongoing participation in the Covenant.
NEXT STEPS
49 If the Council
decides to adopt emissions reduction target without further engagement, staff
will lodge the adopted targets with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate
and Energy. Staff will design and conduct an engagement process on the
next phase of Covenant participation.
50 If the Council
decides to engage the community on an emissions reduction targets, staff will
design and conduct an engagement process and report the outcomes to the
Council.
Signatories
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Author:
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Bill Frewen - Senior Policy Analyst
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Authoriser:
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Maria Ioannou - Corporate Policy Manager
Nicola Pinfold - Group Manager Community and Planning
Sandy Graham - General Manager Strategy and Governance
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Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose
of Local Government
This report enables democratic local decision making and
action by, and on behalf of communities. It also relates to providing local
infrastructure and regulatory function, and is considered good quality and
cost effective.
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Fit with strategic
framework
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Contributes
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Detracts
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Not applicable
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Social Wellbeing Strategy
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☒
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
Economic Development Strategy
|
☒
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
Environment Strategy
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☒
|
☐
|
☐
|
|
Arts and Culture Strategy
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☒
|
☐
|
☐
|
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3 Waters Strategy
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☒
|
☐
|
☐
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Spatial Plan
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Integrated Transport Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
|
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Parks and Recreation Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Other strategic projects/policies/plans
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Meeting Covenant requirements will contribute to a number
of goals and objectives of the Council's strategies that relate to reducing
our city's carbon emissions. These include Te Ao Tūroa, the Integrated
Transport Strategy and Dunedin’s Economic Development Strategy
(including the associated Energy Plan 1.0).
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Māori Impact
Statement
No known impacts for tangata whenua.
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Sustainability
Setting emissions reduction targets will support
Dunedin’s sustainability goals.
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LTP/Annual Plan /
Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy
This is a city-wide commitment and implications will
become clearer at the ‘action plan’ (year three) stage.
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Financial
considerations
Budget for meeting the Covenant requirements has come from
existing operational budgets. However, this will need to be revisited
in the next 10 year plan to ensure adequate budget is allocated for future
updates of emissions inventories (ongoing commitment to the Covenant requires
a new inventory every four years). There may also be other potential
unbudgeted spending for implementing actions to reduce emissions.
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Significance
The Council's commitment to the Covenant is of medium interest
to the community in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement
policy.
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Engagement –
external
Engagement with various external stakeholders from the Te
Ao Turoa and Grow Dunedin Partnership, plus other members of various
organisations has been completed.
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Engagement -
internal
Various staff attended and provided input at a workshop on
reduction targets.
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Risks: Legal /
Health and Safety etc.
No known risks.
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Conflict of
Interest
No known conflicts of interest.
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Community Boards
There are no known implications for Community Boards.
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