Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Climate Change Delivery & Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/122

Contact: Sarah Gilbert, Head of Climate Action, sarah.gilbert@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA12).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

1. note the biannual update on the delivery of the Climate Action Programme (Annex 1).
2. approve adjustments to the programme for 2023/24 (Annex 2).

c.     approve the Council’s Carbon Management Plan through to 2030 (Annex 3).

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report giving a six-monthly update on work to address the Climate Emergency, including the delivery of the 22/23 Climate Action Programme workstreams. An updated programme for 2023/24 (Annex 2) included actions from an internal audit on integration of climate action, and a number of new joint workstreams agreed with the Future Oxfordshire Partnership.

Councillor Sudbury, Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment, introduced the report.  He referred to the recent examples of the impact of Climate Change including the wildfires in Europe. He said that the report illustrated the Council’s performance resulting from its environmental strategies and priorities and referred to the recent staff reorganisation which would double the resources devoted to implementing the Council’s policies on climate change.  Councillor Sudbury referred to the challenges ahead, including using less energy, elimination of fossil fuels from electricity generation, and electrification. A change of behaviours including diet, travel, and wasteful consumption was also essential.  Councillor Sudbury gave examples of how these priorities would be addressed in the Council’s strategic objectives.

During discussion members welcomed the thoroughness and presentation of the report.  They made the following points:-

·       The importance of working collectively with other organisations on Climate Change delivery and working towards a circular economy

·       The potential for innovative financing including “green bonds”

Councillor Sudbury moved, and Councillor O’Connor seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:

1. note the biannual update on the delivery of the Climate Action Programme (Annex 1).
2. approve adjustments to the programme for 2023/24 (Annex 2).

c.     approve the Council’s Carbon Management Plan through to 2030 (Annex 3).