Decision details

In 2019 the Council made an ambitious commitment to become carbon neutral by 2027. In 2020, the Council created its Climate Change and Green Futures Programme with supporting Carbon Management Action Plan to provide strategic direction with regards to achieving this target. This was revised and adopted in July 2023. Consideration was given to green festivals around the Borough and flood defences. It was requested that future reports contain single page updates.

RESOLVED that the revised Climate Change and Green Futures Strategy and Carbon Management Plan be adopted and approved.

Reason

The Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 introduced a target for at least a 100% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels) in the UK by 2050. This is a legally binding target. Section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972 enables the Council to do anything that is calculated to facilitate, or which is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of their functions. Furthermore, section 2(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 introduced a power that permits local authorities to do anything that they consider likely to promote or improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area.