Issue - decisions

Matter for decision

The report detailed the Council’s new Carbon Management Plan which provided the blueprint for reducing energy and fuel consumption and carbon emissions across the Council’s estate and activities over the next five years (between 2016/17 and 2020/21).

 

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

i.             Approved the new Carbon Management Plan and tasked officers to deliver the carbon reduction projects set out in the plan subject to an amendment within the first sentence of paragraph 6.7 of the Carbon Management Plan so that it reads: We anticipate that overall the Council could reduce its carbon emissions by around 15% from 2014/15 levels with an aspirational target figure of 20% by the end of 2020/21.

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 Strategy and Partnerships Manager.

 

Mr Eva addressed the Committee and made the following points:

i.             Welcomed the Officer’s report.

ii.            At the COP21 Paris Climate Change conference, the target for reducing average global temperature increases to 1.5°C was agreed, we were already at an increase of 1°C, therefore we either need to do twice as much to reduce temperature increases or take action twice as fast.

iii.           Cambridge aspired to be a zero carbon city by 2030.

iv.          The City Council should aim for a 10% reduction of emissions per annum.

v.           Unless drastic action was taken now then there would not be the same community/city in the future.

The Executive Councillor made the following comments:

i.             Referred to p71 and paragraphs 5.5 and 5.6 of the Officer’s report which stated that the Council was not currently aware of further economically viable technologies which would allow the Council to reduce its emissions by more than 15%.

ii.            He did not want to promise to deliver a reduction in emissions which the Council would not be able to deliver.

 

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

i.             Welcomed the report and was glad to see that carbon management remained an on-going focus at the Council.

ii.            Having a target reduction was important, so that lessons could be learnt through achieving or not achieving the target.

iii.           The Officer’s report stated that like for like equipment would be purchased however this could not always be the case as the same equipment may not be available.

iv.          Questioned how the carbon management process would work when the Council shared its services with other authorities.

v.           Debated whether the Council should aspire to achieve a 15% or 20% reduction in its emissions.

Councillor Cantrill proposed that the Council should reduce its carbon emissions by 20%.

 

On a show of hands this amendment was lost 3 votes to 6 votes.

 

An amendment within the first sentence of paragraph 6.7 of the Carbon Management Plan was proposed so that it reads (additional text underlined):

 

We anticipate that overall the Council could reduce its carbon emissions by around 15% from 2014/15 levels with an aspirational target figure of 20% by the end of 2020/21.

 

On a show of hands the amendment was endorsed unanimously.

 

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources (and any Dispensations Granted):

Not applicable.