They have questioned a proposed 10-year delivery timeframe and want to see improvements in public transport.
The Dunedin City Council’s strategy, planning and engagement committee yesterday approved a submission to the Otago Regional Council’s first draft plan specifically about climate action.
It supported the spirit of mitigation goals, but said the 10-year delivery timeframe should be "reconsidered".
Modelling indicated a business-as-usual transition to a low-carbon economy was insufficient to meet targets and to avoid the worst effects of climate change, the city council said.
Cr Christine Garey said the widespread persistent rain earlier this month highlighted vulnerability connected to climate change.
"This is not going to be the end," she said.
"We are going to get worse events and anything we can do together to improve things and give urgency to [this], the better."
The city council said provision of effective public transport services was critical for enabling greater transport choice for residents while also reducing transport emissions.
"Increasing use of public transport is particularly important in suburbs where residents have longer commute times."
Cr Garey said people often wanted to switch from using private vehicles to public transport, but the service did not meet their needs.
The council was pleased to see proposed action to explore feasibility of public transport options between regions.
It wanted options for shorter trips within the region to be explored as well, such as between inland and coastal Otago.
Participation of the regional council in the South Dunedin Future programme, run jointly with the city council, was regarded as essential.
"As Ōtepoti Dunedin begins to look at city-wide adaptation planning outside of South Dunedin, it will continue to be invaluable."
Cr Lee Vandervis voted against the submission.
