Decision details

To consider progress in delivering the Council's Climate Change Strategy and consider approving the updated Environmental Policy Statement and additional adaptation actions.

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report provided an update on progress during 2017/18 on actions to deliver the five objectives of the City Council’s Climate Change Strategy 2016-21. As part of this, the report included an update on progress in implementing the Council’s Carbon Management Plan which detailed the actions the Council would take to reduce carbon emissions from its estate and operations.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Environmental Services and City Centre

       i.          Noted the progress achieved during 2017/18 in implementing the Climate Change Strategy and the Carbon Management Plan (also at Appendix (a) of the Officer’s report).

     ii.          Approved the updated Environment Policy Statement at Appendix (b) of the Officer’s report.

   iii.          Noted the Climate Change Fund Expenditure Status Report at Appendix (f) of the Officer’s report.

   iv.          Approved the new adaptation actions as set out in section 3.50 of the Officer’s report.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Climate Change Officer.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          Suggested businesses could be encouraged to take action to reduce their carbon footprint like the council. Such as investing in electric vehicles/bikes and zip car pools.

     ii.          Supported work to reduce food waste.

   iii.          Suggested looking into opportunities and consulting stakeholders on what to provide.

   iv.          It was urgent that action was taken as the effects of climate change were becoming permanent eg global warming.

    v.          The Council has set a target in the Carbon Management Plan 2016-2021 to reduce carbon emissions from its buildings and services by 15% by the end of March 2021, with an aspiration to reduce emissions by 20% over this period. It had achieved 18% reduction in emissions already, so would the target be revised?

 

The Climate Change Officer said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          The council would consider getting more electric bikes in future. It was trialling use of the 2 that had been bought for Cowley Road to see if there was demand for any more.

     ii.          The aim was to replace petrol/diesel vehicles with electric ones, where possible, in future at the vehicles’ end of life.

   iii.          The City Council, County Council and University were undertaking a joint tender to procure a car club which would be available for use by staff and residents.

   iv.          Undertook to liaise with the Waste Team about whether they currently or plan to include in awareness raising promotions - the use of milk delivery services, which provide milk in glass bottles as opposed to milk purchased in plastic bottles, which then need to be recycled.

 

The Head of Corporate Strategy said the council’s carbon emission reduction target would not be revised. The Council would aim to exceed the 20% target if possible, action would not  stop if the 20% aspirational target was achieved before March 2021.

 

The Executive Councillor said:

         i.          A rapid charging point for taxis opened 4 October 2018.

       ii.          Climate change was an important issue. She offered to liaise with Councillor Gillespie in future regarding:

a.    Electric vehicles.

b.    Arrangements for a climate change speaker event (together with the Executive Councillor for Streets and Open Spaces).

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.