Decision details

Executive Response to the Climate Emergency

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

 

 To approve the cabinet’s response to the climate emergency resolution that was unanimously supported at the meeting of full council on 8 March 2019.

 

To approve the cabinet’s response to the zero carbon citizen’s assembly resolution that was passed by council at the meeting of full council on 12 July 2019.

 

Decision:

 

 That:

(a) The executive’s response to the resolutions relating to the climate emergency passed by Council in March and July 2019 be agreed as detailed in Appendix 1.

 

 

Alternative options considered:

 

 

1. There were a number of alternative options associated with the resolutions. These included the following:

 Not to aspire to achieve carbon neutrality This is not recommended as the risk of not tackling climate change will have severe social, economic and environmental impacts. Additionally, achieving carbon neutrality will contribute to improvements in local air quality, enhancement of the natural environment and improved public health.

 

 Not to switch to renewable electricity and green gas supplies.

 

This is not recommended as switching to renewable energy supplies will significantly reduce the Council’s carbon emissions. The estimated impact of switching both gas and electricity will improve the council’s carbon reduction from 43% to approximately 63%.

 

 To adopt a different carbon reduction target.

 

This is not recommended as the aspiration to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 is based on the recommendations within the most recent special report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

 

2. The actions proposed in this report will include exploration of other options to address the climate emergency as the process progresses.

 

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Contact: Ben Boswell, Head of environment, climate emergency and waste services Email: bboswell@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 261930, Geoff Perrott, Principal Energy & Active Travel Officer Email: geoff.perrott@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 383543.

Publication date: 26/09/2019

Date of decision: 26/09/2019

Effective from: 03/10/2019

Accompanying Documents: