Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 16, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED: Cabinet confirmed the Council’s commitment to environmental sustainability, especially as it affects local people and businesses and:   a)    Approved the proposal to no longer retain the current targets for achieving net zero carbon emissions: to be net zero in its own operations by 2030 and for residents and businesses by 2045. b)    Continued to progress the “Sustainability Project” which has been shown to have real benefits for residents and businesses, and makes an ongoing contribution to the UK’s 2050 net zero target c)     Continued to progress the Investors in the Environment accreditation and publish the annual Sustainability Report to evidence the Council’s continued commitment to action on the environment through sustainability. d)    Provided that all the Council’s existing strategies on these subjects (notably the Climate Change Strategy, Estate Climate Strategy and Construction & Maintenance Climate Strategy) be read as amended in line with this decision. e)    Changed the Cabinet report heading within the Implications section from Climate Impact to Environmental Impact, giving a more rounded approach to this section.   REASONS RESOLVED: 1.     In line with the policy position of the new administration, the decision has been made to no longer retain the 2030 and 2045 net zero targets. 2.     To enable the Council to focus its limited resources on matters which directly benefit local people and businesses, for example the delivery of the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme for which the Council has been allocated £2.6m of national grant funding. 3.     To adopt a position in recognition of the limited ability of the Council to materially affect global warming given the many factors outside of its control and the limited funds it has access to. 4.     It is considered the Council can achieve better results for local people and for nature by focusing on matters within its control and for which it has significant influence.   ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:   The options available are: 1.     Maintain the 2030 net zero target and develop a fully costed plan for delivery and allocate sufficient budget to ensure delivery. 2.     Maintain the 2045 net zero target and allocate sufficient budget to develop strong stakeholder engagement with the target. 3.     Maintain both targets and carry out the related actions, as above. 4.     Withdraw the current 2030 and 2045 net zero targets and focus on sustainability projects to provide tangible benefits for residents; for example, home energy improvements, increased biodiversity, and solar power generation where the business case supports cost savings.   Given the challenges of (1) and (2) (and therefore of (3)) and the new Administration’s policy goals, it is proposed that option (4) is taken.   7.3 An Equality & Anti-Poverty Screening Assessment has been undertaken, this has shown no negative, and some positive, anti-poverty impacts from the proposed decision. No adverse impacts on equality issues were identified.