Issue - meetings

Carbon Reduction Target and Action Plan

Meeting: 24/09/2020 - Cabinet (Item 30)

30 Carbon Reduction Target and Action Plan pdf icon PDF 474 KB

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

i)      To approve an aspirational target for the Council’s direct emissions to be carbon neutral by 2030.

 

ii)     To approve an additional target for the emissions that are not directly within the Council’s control to be carbon neutral by 2050.

 

iii)     To approve a short term action plan for carbon reduction measures to run until March 2022.

 

REASON

 

i & ii)    To implement the priorities of the Corporate Plan for Horsham District Council to become carbon neutral.

 

iii)    To commence the work required to reach the approved targets.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling & Waste introduced the report and recommended carbon reduction targets relating to the Council’s properties and activities.  This was a positive response to the Council’s recognition of the climate emergency in June 2019, and a recognition of concern expressed by the public in general. 

 

The Cabinet Member stated that the financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic would add to the challenge, although there would be some public sector decarbonisation funding available.  The projected targets and expenditure would be reviewed annually as part of the budget process.

 

The Environmental Coordination Manager briefly summarised technical aspects of the report, based on the paper produced by the carbon reduction consultants Anthesis.  In addition to emission targets, a short term action plan was also proposed; this was an 18-month programme that included an energy audit of HDC properties; costing retrofitting options; and staff training. 

 

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Assets emphasised the financial challenges ahead and their potential impact on future budget decisions. 

 

RESOLVED

 

i)      To approve an aspirational target for the Council’s direct emissions to be carbon neutral by 2030.

 

ii)     To approve an additional target for the emissions that are not directly within the Council’s control to be carbon neutral by 2050.

 

iii)   To approve a short term action plan for carbon reduction measures to run until March 2022.

 

REASON

 

i & ii)   To implement the priorities of the Corporate Plan for Horsham District Council to become carbon neutral.

 

iii)    To commence the work required to reach the approved targets.