Agenda item

David Rhodes, Corporate Environmental Manager, gave the following powerpoint presentation:-

Why Climate Change?

-              Sustainable Community Strategy

-              Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change

-              Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006

-              Climate Change Act 2008 – 34% reduction by 2020, 80% reduction by 2050

Impacts of Climate Change

-              Warmer, drier summers

-              Wetter winters

-              More extreme weather events

-              Air pollution episodes

-              Biodiversity

-              Most vulnerable will be the worse affected

Strategy Background

-              November, 2007 – RMBC signed the Nottingham Declaration

-              Commitment to develop a Climate Change Action Plan

-              Council Plan – energy, transport and buildings

-              Action Plan for the Borough needed – inclusive of partner and community activity and wider environmental activity

-              Rotherham’s Sustainability Partnership lead supported by the Council’s Sustainable Development Officer Group

Performance Links

-              Co-ordinate innovative partnerships to improve sustainable infrastructure, mitigate and adapt to climate change

-              Improve the local environmental quality of our neighbourhoods

-              LLA target

-              National Indicators

Aims

-              To reduce Rotherham’s contribution to climate change through CO2 reduction

-              To prepare Rotherham for a changing climate

-              To reduce Rotherham’s Ecological Footprint

-              To promote sustainable development across the Borough

-              To enhance Rotherham’s local environment

Next Steps

-              Consultation August-October

-              Presentations and workshops with partners and stakeholders

-              Website

-              Sign off

-              Ongoing development and monitoring

Discussion ensued on the presentation with the following issues highlighted:-

-              NI185 CO₂ Emissions from Council Activities – the Council collected the data which was reported via a spreadsheet produced by DEFRA

-              NI186 CO₂ Reductions from within the Borough – the information was collected by a private company on behalf of DEFRA.  The Council did not see how the data was collected.  Concerns had been raised with regard to this in the past as it did not allow you the ability to see how accurate the data was.

-              NI187 and 189 were interlinked but was little mention of them in the report

-              An Environmental Statement was produced annually which was externally verified.  Auditors had commented previously that the Council did not publicise all its elements of good practice

-              A meeting was to be held later day with the Children and Young People’s Management Team as part of the consultation process.  Carbon Reduction Emissions would be discussed in particular as the Council would have to purchase allowances for schools but they would only be allowed to report energy consumption data and not carry out reductions.  That was being looked at with the possibility of changing Financial Regulations so that CO₂ reductions could be enforced in the future

-              Recycling facilities in PFI Schools

-              How well was the Eco homes performing?

-              Role of partners e.g. PCT

Resolved:-  (1)  That the development of the draft Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for the Borough be noted.

(2)  That David Rhodes raise with Children and Young People’s Services the issue of recycling facilities.

(4)  That the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation convey to the Partnership Board the need for Partners to be involved in the Strategy.

(5)  That a future agenda item be submitted on building stronger links with climate change issues.

(6)  That an update on the Strategy be submitted on a quarterly basis.