The Climate and City Resilience Committee of Belfast City Council met to discuss updates on the Horizon Europe Urban Planning 2030 (UP2030) project, the Belfast Festival of Learning Food Data Hackathon, and the new climate change reporting duties under the Climate Change Act (Reporting Bodies) Regulations.

Horizon Europe Urban Planning 2030 (UP2030) Update

Debbie Caldwell, Climate Commissioner, provided an update on the ongoing activities of the UP2030 Net Zero Neighbourhoods Project. Belfast, represented by Belfast City Council, is a pilot city within this project, which aims to develop a net zero neighbourhood framework using technical tools and support from the UP2030 consortium. The committee noted the importance of stakeholder engagement, workshops, and partnership working in achieving the project's milestones.

The committee supported a partnership with the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) to deliver a design competition in the UP2030 area, aligning with the project's ambitions. They also backed Groundwork NI’s Heritage Lottery bid, ‘Climate Resilient Heritage,’ which aims to roll out within communities in the UP2030 pilot area.

The UP2030 project, which started in February 2023 and will run until December 2025, focuses on the Linen Quarter and surrounding communities, including Barrack Street, Sandy Row, Donegall Pass, and the Market. The project themes include active travel, greening, and retrofit, linking to the pillars of a fair and just transition, carbon neutrality, and resilience.

Belfast Festival of Learning Food Data Hackathon

The committee received an update on the results of the food hackathon held as part of the Belfast Learning Festival 2024. The festival, part of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, ran from 22 to 27 April. The hackathon aimed to explore the current food systems in the city and tackle real-world challenges using data-driven solutions.

More than 40 students from Belfast Met, University of Ulster (UU), and Queen's University Belfast (QUB) participated. The winning team from UU proposed a mobile farmers market app to bring farm-fresh produce to local communities. The app would allow residents to log on and find out what producers will be in their area and what produce they will bring.

The Climate Change Act (Reporting Bodies) Regulations

Debbie Caldwell highlighted the new regulations that place climate change reporting duties on public bodies, including Belfast City Council. The regulations, which come into effect in early May 2024, require public bodies to submit climate change mitigation and adaptation reports.

Mitigation reports must include statements on greenhouse gas emissions, proposals and policies for reducing emissions, and progress assessments. Adaptation reports must assess the impact of climate change on council functions, propose adaptation measures, and evaluate progress.

The first mitigation report is due by 31 October 2025, and the first adaptation report by 31 March 2026. DAERA will provide technical guidance, a reporting template, an online portal, and training to support public bodies in meeting these reporting duties.

For more details, you can refer to the Agenda frontsheet 13th-Jun-2024 17.15 Climate and City Resilience Committee and the Public reports pack 13th-Jun-2024 17.15 Climate and City Resilience Committee.