Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Climate Change Delivery & Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/018

Contact: Sarah Gilbert, Climate Action Team Leader Tel: 07867 467797

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA6).

In response to the council’s declaration of a climate emergency, a Climate Action Framework was developed to mobilise a cross-organizational Climate Action Programme.  This report updates Cabinet on the delivery of the 21/22 Climate Action Programme delivery plan and sets out the 22/23 delivery plan.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)                  Note the annual update on the delivery of the Climate Action Programme (Appendix 1)

b)                  Approve the Climate Action Programme delivery plan for 2022/23 (Appendix 2)

c)                  Approve the council’s Carbon Management Plan 2022-25 (Appendix 3) and the interim emissions reduction target for 2024/25.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet considered a report updating on the delivery of the 2021/22 Climate Action Programme delivery plan and setting out the 2022/23 delivery plan.

Before discussing the report, the Chair had agreed to the following request to speak:

Councillor John Howson asked that the report be circulated to all councillors as climate change was of concern to everyone.  He was disappointed that only four maintained primary schools had been helped with energy efficiency.  Most primary schools were not yet set up for renewable energy sources although they could play an important part as a community hub.  He was pleased to see that £400,000 was to be spent in 2022/23 on the school support programme although there was nothing in the report on how to help academies or private schools.

Cabinet Members noted that the report demonstrated that the team had the knowledge, skills and commitment to make major progress.  Determined progress had been made on Scope 1 (direct emissions from fuel use on council estate and fleet) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity) and they were not hesitating on going for the full Scope 3 (indirect emissions from staff travel and electricity distribution).

An officer will shortly be appointed to work on decarbonising the Council’s supply chain which was much larger that the Council’s own carbon footprint.   The carbon accounting framework and toolkit referred to on Agenda Page 27 would be of benefit to other organisations in understanding exactly what they were signing up to.

Officers will be asked if there was scope in the school conditions survey to examine energy supply and consumption of the buildings to inform the Council in considering the suggestions Councillor Howson made.

RESOLVED to:

a)              Note the annual update on the delivery of the Climate Action Programme (Appendix 1)

b)              Approve the Climate Action Programme delivery plan for 2022/23 (Appendix 2)

c)              Approve the council’s Carbon Management Plan 2022-25 (Appendix 3) and the interim emissions reduction target for 2024/25.