The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Chief Executive updating Cabinet on progress towards the Council’s net zero target.
The submitted report stated that the Climate Emergency Declaration had been re-affirmed; the Council’s carbon neutral target had been brought forward to 2040; further aims to increase engagement with residents and businesses had been included with the intention of reducing wider borough emissions; a further commitment to the Council’s emission reduction trajectory had been amended to 40 per cent reduction every five years; outlined the current progress against those targets; and stated that of the 109 actions reporting at the end of 2022/23, 91 were on track and 5 had been completed.
Particular reference was made, to a project to develop guidance for local authorities to report to Defra on adaptation progress which the Council took part in in 2023 and to a subsequent trial for local authorities to report to the Secretary of State under the Climate Change Act’s Adaptation Reporting Power, which the Council was also taking part in.
References were made at the meeting to the need to be more creative; the level of support the Council needed to meet its targets; the importance of messaging; the role of the Council as an enabler; the opportunity to save money; how those savings would be re-invested; and to the planting of trees. The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio responded thereon.
RESOLVED - That the report be noted.
REASON – Due to the increasing public pressure to act on climate change, the Council will run the risk of significant damage to its reputation if it does not deliver on its stated commitment to dealing with the Council’s contribution to climate change.