Decision details

The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio introduced the report of the Chief Executive (previously circulated) providing Members with an update on progress towards the Council’s net zero target for the financial year 2022/23.

The submitted report stated that following the Council’s Climate Emergency Declaration in July 2019 (Minute 19/Jul/19 refers), a Sustainability and Climate Change Lead Officer had been appointed; a Climate Change Strategy and an action plan had been produced and adopted; milestones had been developed and used by the Climate Change Officer to monitor progress; and that a trajectory of 30 per cent reduction in the Council’s emission every five years had been agreed.  The Council’s emissions for 2022/23 were 6,461 tonnes/CO_2.. which were made up of the energy use in council buildings; business mileage; fleet emissions; and streetlighting and signs.  The emissions from the supply chain were not currently measured but a report from an external consultant into supply chain emissions had been commissioned.

It was reported that the Sustainable Darlington webpage and Sustainability and Climate Change intranet page had been updated and would be used to share information with residents and staff and that it was planned to include a youth tab on the Sustainable Darlington page, working with young people to produce content.

Particular reference was made to the amendment to the climate change declaration to bring the target forward by ten years to 2040 and how it planned to reach that target.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and forwarded to Full Council.

REASON -  With increasing public pressure to take action on climate change, we run the risk of significant damage to our reputation if we do not deliver on our stated commitment to dealing with the Council’s contribution to climate change.