Agenda item

Climate Emergency Annual Report

Cabinet Portfolio: - Cleaner, Greener Communities   

 

Strategic Directorate: - Assistant Chief Executive

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report that was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 22 March 2021 that provided an update on the progress made during 2020 around, and detailed a framework for action for 2021 regarding the Council’s response to the Climate Change Emergency. The Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener Communities and the Head of Policy, Performance and Intelligence attended the meeting to present the report.

 

In introducing the report, the Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener Communities noted that the report was the first Annual Report on the Council’s response to Climate Change since the Council had declared a Climate Emergency in October 2019. The Cabinet Member advised that subsequently on 23 March 2020 Cabinet had approved two overarching goals for the Council that were for the Council’s carbon emissions to be at net zero by 2030 (NZ30) and for Rotherham-wide carbon emissions to be at net zero by 2040 (NZ40). It was noted that an action plan, based around the themes of Energy, Transport, Housing, Waste, Built and natural environment, Influence and Engagement would provide a framework for action for each year would be used to manage the activities required to the meet the NZ30 and NZ40 targets.

 

A summary of progress and updates for each of the key themes was detailed in the officer’s report. The action plan for 2021/22 was attached as an appendix to the report.

 

The Cabinet Member noted the plans that had been included in the Council Budget for 2021/22 would contribute to the delivery of the objectives contained in the action plan including £253,000 for a managed tree planting scheme across the Borough. The Head of Policy, Performance and Intelligence noted that even though the approval of the NZ30 and NZ40 targets had coincided with the first Covid-19 lockdown and a diversion of resources towards managing the Council’s response to the pandemic, significant activity and progress on the action plan had been made in many areas. The Cabinet Member noted that a new Climate Change research officer post would ensure that the Council had sound baseline data and information on which to build future activity.

 

Members welcomed the report and the data that showed reduction in the amount of carbon produced by the Council in recent years. Members asked how much off this reduction was long term, and how much could be attributed to the very different way that people had  been living and working during the pandemic, with less travel and increased numbers of people working at home. The Cabinet Member advised that the Council was keen to capture the impacts of the last year and work would be done to see which changes would continue to have a lasting effect on the environmental impact created by both the Council and in the wider Borough.

 

Members asked whether the NZ30 and NZ40 targets for net zero carbon were realistic. The Cabinet Member advised that the targets were achievable and that in setting the targets previous performance had been analysed to see what was achievable. The Cabinet advised however that it was essential to note that these targets could not be met by Council activity alone and that the Council would need to work hard to influence positive behaviour amongst the public, partners and businesses.

 

Members asked for further information about the tree planting scheme and how this linked into the national DEFRA scheme. The Cabinet Member noted that plans were well advanced on how the Council could link into the DEFRA scheme and advised that the possibility of a coordinated approach to the scheme with the Parish and Town councils would be looked at.

 

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener Communities and the Head of Policy and Performance for attending the meeting and answering member questions.

 

Resolved:  -

 

That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.

Supporting documents: