DCC Cuts Carbon Footprint Dramatically

Dunedin (21 December 2012) – The Dunedin City Council is making great strides to reduce its carbon footprint.

Dunedin is one of the first local authorities in the country to measure its carbon footprint against global greenhouse gas standard, ISO 14064-1:2006. Since that measurement, the Council estimates that it has cut its emissions by 56%.

One of the major reasons for the recent reduction is a project which captures methane gas from the Green Island Landfill and uses it to generate electricity rather than discharging it to the atmosphere. The methane is produced by landfill waste breaking down. The DCC has also initiated a number of programmes that are reducing electricity and LPG use.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says reducing non-renewable energy use is the key to addressing climate change and public bodies have a responsibility to lead in that area.

“This measure will also enable our efforts towards achieving energy resilience as a city.”

In October the DCC received independent verification from carboNZero Holdings Limited that its greenhouse gas emissions had been measured in accordance with the appropriate ISO standard. By measuring its carbon footprint, the DCC has taken the first step needed to make real emission reductions. Gathering the emissions information and going through the verification process took about two years.

“This has provided an important line in the sand by which we can measure improvements in the future,” General Manager Finance and Resources Athol Stephens says.

The DCC’s verified greenhouse gas emissions inventory covered the period from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010. In the inventory report, emissions totalled 71,231 tonnes. Internal calculations estimate this has since dropped to about 31,000 tonnes.

Mr Stephens says efforts continue across the organisation to reduce CO2 emissions. These include looking at ways to cut back on diesel use and air travel. The DCC is committed to sustainability and will continue to look for innovative ways to shrink its carbon footprint.

The verification relates to the DCC and its main operations and does not include Dunedin City Holdings Ltd and investment properties.

ENDS

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