Agenda item

Cabinet:

1.     Noted the work already being undertaken to address Climate Change both within the Council and the local community

2.     Approved the establishment of two permanent posts to support the ongoing work of the Climate Change Action Plan

3.     Committed to Havering Council being an organisation becoming carbon neutral by 2040 or sooner

4.     Agreed that Cabinet receive a report every six months setting out the progress of the implementation and the impact of the Havering Climate Change Action Plan 

5.     Approved the themed action plans set out in Appendix A

6.     Agreed that officers publish emissions data for both the Council as an organisation and for the borough on an annual basis

7.     Agreed that officers design a carbon zero route map for the Council as an organisation

8.     Agreed that officers develop a branding for the Climate Change Action Plan and incorporate this in a Communications Plan for the wider community

9.     Agreed to adopt the principles of the Amazon Climate Pledge. 

These are:

A.         Regular reporting - Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis

B.         Carbon elimination - Implement decarbonisation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies

C.        Credible offsets - Neutralise any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially-beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040

10.   To recommend to Full Council that it endorses the content of the report and associated action plans.

Cabinet considered a report on the Havering Climate Change Action Plan.

It was explained that Havering Council had resolved to review its policies to ensure that Havering leads the way on environmental protection and climate change. Establishing the Havering Climate Change Action Plan signaled a commitment by the Council to tackle climate change, influence decisions and bring together existing environmental policies.

The plan would form part of the considerations when evaluating the options for Council action and would establish the values of the Council and ensure that those values were considered when making policy decisions.

A policy statement provided a narrative on the importance of environmental considerations. It established the ambition of the Council to use its community influence in the field of tackling climate change and protecting the local environment for the benefit of all local residents. When coupled with a published Climate Change Action Plan it would allow the Council to celebrate and record the investments made to protect the local environment and health priorities. Drawing upon previous Havering documents it was suggested that an overarching policy statement could read:

“The impacts and causes of climate change are recognised by the UK government and Havering Council has, over several years, developed strategies to identify and address these. We believe we have a duty to act to reduce our carbon emissions in a way that has positive economic and welfare benefits for Havering residents, businesses and visitors and we are committed to continuing the initiatives we have already developed to protect Havering’s green heritage and natural environment. We are committed to the principles of sustainability and efficiency at the heart of our decision making and support residents and businesses across the borough to develop sustainable communities and services aligned to our Havering values.”

The statement could be considered and adjusted by Members with a wider policy consultation undertaken prior to its adoption. It would then replace previous statements.

The following values were also suggested as a guide to the development of actions associated with the Havering Climate Change Action Plan:

·       Taking pride in Havering

·       Working with residents to make informed choices

·       Being financially efficient and effective

·       Building community wealth

Cabinet:

1.       Noted the work already being undertaken to address Climate Change

   both within the Council and the local community.

2.     Approved the establishment of two permanent posts to support the ongoing work of the Climate Change Action Plan

3.     Committed to Havering Council being an organisation becoming carbon neutral by 2040 or sooner

4.     Agreed that Cabinet receive a report every six months setting out the progress of the implementation and the impact of the Havering Climate Change Action Plan 

5.     Approved the themed action plans set out in Appendix A

6.     Agreed that officers publish emissions data for both the Council as an organisation and for the borough on an annual basis

7.     Agreed that officers design a carbon zero route map for the Council as an organisation

8.     Agreed that officers develop a branding for the Climate Change Action Plan and incorporate this in a Communications Plan for the wider community

9.     Agreed to adopt the principles of the Amazon Climate Pledge. 

These are:

A.         Regular reporting - Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis

B.         Carbon elimination - Implement decarbonisation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies

C.        Credible offsets - Neutralise any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially-beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040

10.   To recommend to Full Council that it endorses the content of the report and associated action plans.