The sector’s emissions are not yet included in Dunedin’s carbon footprint because of data difficulties, but this could be resolved next year, making it harder for the city to reduce overall marine emissions and achieve 2030 targets.
Those targets look set to be discussed in some depth this month, when it is expected a proposed zero-carbon plan will be debated by the Dunedin City Council.
A few councillors have expressed discomfort about the environmental impact of the cruise industry.
However, Port Otago chief executive Kevin Winders warned against characterising the industry as troublesome when cruise ships were a significant generator of economic activity, it was investing in environmental solutions and when accounting for its emissions remained up in the air.
He was not sure emissions from the cruise sector should be considered "material" within the city’s overall profile.
Mr Winders raised such doubts after the council approved a submission to the government last week about tourism, and in which transport emissions were a prominent theme.
"Cruise vessels are not currently included in Ōtepoti Dunedin’s emissions footprint due to a lack of data, but they are a significant source of emissions," the submission said.
A council spokesman noted the Dunedin community carbon footprint in 2021-22 identified marine freight as generating 10% of Dunedin’s gross emissions and 31% of transport emissions.
"Because the overall marine footprint is significant in the context of Dunedin’s emissions, any shifts in the size of the overall marine emissions are significant in the context of Dunedin’s overall footprint," he said.
Cruises had been left out so far, but in the 2018-19 baseline year, 115 cruise vessels visited Port Chalmers, compared with 458 container and bulk vessels.
"This suggests that cruise represents a significant omission from the overall marine footprint, though the ultimate size of the cruise footprint would depend on the methodology used to calculate it," the spokesman said.
The council’s submission identified overall marine emissions would need to be reduced by 40%, aviation emissions cut in half and those from on-road transport cut 39% against the 2018-19 baseline year for the city to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
The cruise industry has been rebounding since restrictions connected to the Covid-19 pandemic were relaxed.
Yesterday, the government announced new priorities for a tourism levy, including "supporting a transition to a regenerative, resilient tourism model" and "improving the way in which tourism serves communities and local economies".
Dunedin deputy mayor Sophie Barker said money generated from the cruise sector could benefit conservation activities.
"From my experience, it’s always been the icing on the cake for tourism businesses and I know many businesses will have breathed a huge sigh of relief when cruise came back," Cr Barker said.
"We need to work in partnership across the tourism industry to decarbonise and make visitation a positive industry that supports environmental regeneration," she said.
Council economic development committee chairman Cr Andrew Whiley said the cruise industry was valuable for Dunedin and wider New Zealand.
"Let’s work with the cruise industry for better outcomes for everyone concerned."
