Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE POLICY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

To propose a refreshed Climate Change strategy for adoption for 2021-2026.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the following documents be adopted;

•        Appendix 1 Climate Change Strategy 2021-2026

•        Appendix A Proposed Actions

•        Appendix B Achievements.

(2)       That the target date for achieving Net Zero Carbon District status be brought forward to 2040.

REASON FOR DECISION: In 2019, the Council passed a motion to declare a Climate Emergency, in this motion the Council pledged their commitment to do everything within their power to make North Hertfordshire carbon zero by 2030. The revised strategy sets out how the council will do this. At the beginning of 2020, the Council adopted a revised strategy to reflect the undertaking of this motion and reflect the latest legislation and most pertinent international research regarding Climate Change.

Audio recording – 49 minutes 17 seconds

The Executive Member for Environment and Leisure presented the report entitled Climate Change Strategy 2021-2026 together with the following appendices:

·                Appendix 1 - Climate Change Strategy 2021-2026;

·                Appendix A - Proposed Actions;

·                Appendix B – Achievements.

He drew attention to the following:

·                There were three strands to the strategy:

1.         Taking Action – taking direct action to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions.

2.         Enabling Carbon Savings – ensuring that our policies enable citizens and businesses to reduce their emissions.

3.         Inspiring the Community – encouraging citizens and businesses to take action to go further and faster in cutting carbon emissions.

·                This strategy did not progress waste management, biodiversity or air quality.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Joint Chair of the Cabinet Panel on the Environment, presented the referral from the meeting held on 23 February 2021 regarding Discussion (Climate Change Strategy). The following recommendations had been made by the Panel:

(1)     That the revised Climate Change Strategy be endorsed;

(2)     That the target date for achieving Net Zero Carbon District status be brought forward to 2042.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Paul Clark;

·                Councillor Gary Grindal;

·                Councillor Ian Albert;

Points raised be Members included:

·                The Council needed to do as much as possible within the capacity available;

·                Officers were going above and beyond;

·                The key for addressing climate change was to have public involvement;

·                Careful consideration of priorities was needed to identify what could be delivered within financial constraints;

·                There would be challenges along the way;

·                Expectations needed to be managed;

·                The Council needed to publicise achievements and actions more widely.

Councillor Steve Jarvis proposed, Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg seconded and it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the following documents be adopted;

•        Appendix 1 Climate Change Strategy 2021-2026

•        Appendix A Proposed Actions

•        Appendix B Achievements.

(2)       That the target date for achieving Net Zero Carbon District status be brought forward to 2040.

REASON FOR DECISION: In 2019, the Council passed a motion to declare a Climate Emergency, in this motion the Council pledged their commitment to do everything within their power to make North Hertfordshire carbon zero by 2030. The revised strategy sets out how the council will do this. At the beginning of 2020, the Council adopted a revised strategy to reflect the undertaking of this motion and reflect the latest legislation and most pertinent international research regarding Climate Change.