Decision

That the following motion be approved:

Motion 1 – Proposed by Cllr Leon Gibbs and seconded by Cllr Lee Duffy

“This Council notes that:

1. On 28 July 2021, North Northamptonshire Council resolved to declare a “Climate and Environment Emergency” and endorsed the Climate Change Framework previously established by the Shadow Authority.
2. At the same meeting, Full Council considered a separate motion seeking to commit the Council to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. That motion was not supported by Council.
3. A 2030 carbon neutrality target was subsequently adopted and incorporated into the Council’s Carbon Management Plan, approved by the Executive on 22 December 2022.
4. On 9 September 2025, the Executive agreed to align the Council’s carbon neutrality target with the prevailing UK statutory Net Zero target of 2050. The Carbon Management Plan has subsequently been reprofiled to reflect that decision and to consider deliverability, resources, funding and feasibility.

This Council believes that:

•         Protecting and enhancing our natural environment, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and making responsible use of public resources do not depend upon maintaining a declaration of emergency.

•         Environmental and energy considerations should be addressed where they are material to a decision.

•         The Council should focus its resources on practical, achievable and measurable interventions which reduce energy consumption and waste, improve the efficiency and resilience of Council assets, protect and enhance the natural environment and deliver value for money.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1. Rescind the Climate and Environment Emergency Declaration: Rescind resolution 30(i) of the meeting of Full Council held on 28 July 2021, thereby ending North Northamptonshire Council’s declaration of a “Climate and Environment Emergency”.
2. Refocus the Carbon Management Plan: Request the Executive to continue the refocusing of the Carbon Management Plan following the decision in September 2025 to align the Council’s carbon neutrality target with 2050, prioritising practical, achievable and measurable interventions which reduce energy consumption and waste, improve the efficiency and resilience of Council assets, protect and enhance the natural environment, secure external investment where appropriate and deliver value for money.
3. Replace Climate Change Impact Assessments with Environmental Consideration Assessments: Introduce Environmental Consideration Assessments (ECAs) in place of the existing Climate Change Impact Assessment (CCIA) process. These will focus on environmental impacts where material to a decision. Any specific legal requirements should continue to be met, without imposing unnecessary administrative requirements where no material environmental impacts arise.
4. Reaffirm practical environmental responsibility: Reaffirm the Council’s commitment to protecting and enhancing North Northamptonshire’s natural environment and to pursuing practical measures which deliver environmental, financial or community benefits for the people who live here.”