Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive submitted a report (previously circulated) to update Members on the progress towards the Council’s net zero target.

The submitted report stated that following the Council’s Climate Emergency Declaration in July 2019, a Sustainability and Climate Change Lead Officer had been appointed in late January 2020, a Climate Change Strategy had been adopted in July 2020 and an action plan had been produced and adopted in October 2021. It was reported that milestones had been developed and that these will be used by the newly appointed Climate Change Officer to monitor progress.

The submitted report highlighted that a trajectory of 30% reduction in the Council’s emission every five years had been agreed by Cabinet in October 2021, that Council emissions for 2021/22 were 6,592 tonnes/CO2, and provided an overview as to how emissions were reported.

It was reported that the Sustainable Darlington webpage and Sustainability and Climate Change intranet page had been updated and be used to share information with residents and staff. 

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted.

REASONS - (a) As a public organisation the Council has a duty to meet its obligation in reducing its carbon footprint and achieve its net zero target.

(b) With increasing public pressure to act on climate change, the Council is at risk of significant reputation damage if it fails to deliver on our stated commitment to dealing with the Council’s contribution to climate change.