Report attached.

Cabinet:

1.     Noted the progress that Havering has made in tackling the climate emergency over the last financial year as outlined in Appendix 1 (Progress on 2024/25 actions to date).

2.     Noted the overall emissions for Havering Council outlined in this report

Report:  Havering Climate Change Action Plan (HCCAP) 2024-25 Annual Report

Presented by: Councillor Natasha Summers: Cabinet Member for Climate Change

Summary:

This report presented a progress update on the Havering Climate Change Action Plan (HCCAP) for 2024-25. It builds on the actions first introduced in November 2021, and which established a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2040 or sooner. Full Council went on to overwhelmingly declare a Climate Emergency on 21 March 2023. The HCCAP provides a framework for the Council’s actions to deliver on its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2040 or sooner.

The report detailed the work we have undertaken and the progress made over the past financial year in addressing the climate emergency. It celebrates key projects, actions achieved, and the partners we have collaborated with. Notably, 30% of the actions in the HCCAP were completed in 2024-25. A further 48% of in-year actions are on track.

This is an evolving framework, and the Council will continue to update the approach over time; as targets change, as new data becomes available and following major Government decarbonisation strategies. There are two elements to the monitoring framework: one relates to the Council’s emissions from the operation of its services which are broadly controllable, subject to financial constraints and Government support. The other aspect of the data collection relates to Borough emissions where the Council has an influencing and/or leadership role.

The latest published figures show that in 2022, Havering’s greenhouse gas emissions were the lowest since 2005. However, the borough still had the 14th highest emissions in London, equating to the 7th highest per capita. Transport (46%) and domestic energy use (37%) were the biggest contributors to emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions for the Council’s operations have also decreased between the last two financial years. The biggest reductions have come from improvements and upgrades to the Council fleet.

Cabinet:

1.     Noted the progress that Havering has made in tackling the climate emergency over the last financial year as outlined in Appendix 1 (Progress on 2024/25 actions to date).

2.     Noted the overall emissions for Havering Council outlined in this report.