Agenda item

The Cabinet considered the report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change that provided an update on progress of the Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP2) and to consider opportunities for future iterations of this plan, including an extension of span to three years taking the Council and countywide carbon reduction actions to 2027 (for copy of report see file of minutes).

Councillor M Wilkes, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change explained that the impacts of climate change were being experienced across the world and by local communities in County Durham. There was a short time to make the changes necessary to mitigate against these impacts and avoidance was no longer an option given the pace of change.

It had been four years since the Council declared its climate emergency. The increase in extreme weather events had been obvious with floods, wildfires, storms and droughts becoming commonplace, creating devastation and destruction for many at home and abroad and record statistics were being broken with alarming regularity.

The report provided an update on the extensive activity of the Council to fulfil the promise of the climate emergency declaration and to deliver the climate emergency response plan.

One of the priorities of the Joint Administration was to tackle climate change, having secured more grant funding in two years than at any time prior to taking over the running of the Council. The work of the low carbon team had been astounding and Councillor Wilkes placed on record his thanks to all the team and senior management for their commitment to the cause.

The Council’s carbon emissions continued to reduce - 5% down over the previous year, 59% down on the base year of 2009. The investment in low carbon technologies for Council buildings and fleet was delivering results. The focus on nature-based solutions and the natural environment had brought multiple benefits to the climate and communities. Leisure centres and offices had been decarbonised and work had completed on the Morrison Busty depot. This was a unique, ground breaking project with operational offices and workshops, together with a horticultural nursery and vehicle charging facilities all powered by its own solar farm. Zero carbon could be done and the Council were leading the way in showing how, whilst also saving money. The focus was quite rightly on making good financial decisions and continuing work in this area was vital.

Energy efficiency, low carbon technology and renewable power saved the Council money in the long term and reduced energy bills whilst protecting the Council from inflationary pressures in the energy market. The conversion of streetlights to low energy LED's already saved the Council over £7 million per year in energy costs.

The report also highlighted the work of the council across the county to encourage and gather support from communities and businesses in their own efforts to lower emissions. The government had set targets for the country to be net zero by 2050 and the Council’s target was for County Durham to be net zero by 2045. The updated report demonstrated that the Council were delivering on the priorities and making good progress. It was vital that the government provided more financial support to the Council and in doing would support the leadership of the Council, highlighting that the Council could deliver if funding was made available.

Councillor S McDonnell, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Digital, Customer Services and Procurement explained that the report demonstrated significant progress. Not only were the Council reducing its own carbon emissions as an organisation, it was working with businesses and communities across the County in providing help, support and advice. It was encouraging to see that there was demand for our business from the business community and partners to work towards a low carbon economy. The business energy efficiency project for instance had supported over 500 SMEs with targeted advice and grants. The demand had been incredibly high, such was the value of the service provided.

The Council’s own engagement and advocacy work around climate change within the business community had brought together entrepreneurs and problem solvers, sharing their experience, knowledge and best practice. In communities, the Council were leading the way on the installation of community electric vehicle charging, with 150 charge points installed across the County. A recent £3m had been secured from the government to install a further 250 fast and rapid chargers which would make vehicle charging more accessible to everyone. Nature based solutions were also prominent and it was important to highlight partnership projects at the Heritage Coast and Seascapes who were working in partnership with universities on research to restore marine habitats off the Durham Coast and the huge potential for this to help absorb and store carbon. These initiatives were new and exciting and once again the Council were at the forefront. In summary, the report demonstrated progress across a wide range of projects outlined in the emergency response plan.

Councillor R Bell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance noted the continued success of the team in securing funding from central government for climate change initiatives. He added that it was often very competitive to obtain such funding from central government, highlighting the importance of having a strong climate change team with projects that were ready to go and this was something that need to be acknowledged.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.