Agenda item

To receive an update on the Council’s progress to becoming carbon neutral and climate change adaptation.

The Team Leader: Climate Change & Sustainability presented an update on climate change adaptation and carbon reduction, outlining the progress made against the Council’s carbon neutral commitments.

Members were advised that following the climate emergency declaration in 2019, the Council continued to work toward its target of a 70% carbon reduction by 2027. The Team Leader: Climate Change & Sustainability highlighted that mitigation and adaptation reporting had previously been separate, but the most recent Cabinet report combined both elements into a single, comprehensive document accompanied by updated action plans and a revised climate change risk register.

The Team Leader: Climate Change & Sustainability summarised a number of examples of work undertaken since the last reporting period, including the impact of extreme weather events in 2025, high levels of public concern regarding climate change, and continued progress in reducing emissions from operational estates.

The Team Leader: Climate Change & Sustainability also outlined several recently completed decarbonisation projects, including major works at Wellington and Oakengates Leisure Centres, as well as wider initiatives such as Warm and Well Telford, NuPlace developments, and new active travel projects with local schools. Adaptation work was continuing across services, with updated business continuity plans and further support planned for Town and Parish Councils.

In response to questions raised in relation to active travel figures, the Team Leader: Climate Change & Sustainability explained that behavioural changes captured in the data included modal shift, park?and?stride uptake and car?sharing. The methodology behind school travel surveys was outlined and

Members were advised that detailed data for the 2024/25 period would be available following its publication. Ongoing engagement with schools was aimed at ensuring that travel plans remained relevant and achievable.

Responding to queries regarding future electricity demand, the Team Leader: Climate Change & Sustainability explained that national work undertaken by the energy system operator had explored ways to improve grid capacity. While it was recognised that local demand was increasing due to the rise in electrification, a range of potential solutions existed and the Council continued to work proactively with partners and businesses seeking renewable energy connections.

The Committee noted that the Council operated a proportionate inspection programme across the highway, footpath and cycleway network in relation to tree safety and storm resilience. Although exceptional storms could not be fully mitigated, the approach balanced safety with the desire to retain the borough’s established tree canopy. The Team Leader: Climate Change & Sustainability clarified the carbon cycle associated with tree felling and replacement planting.

Members sought further clarity on the role of SuDS and the impact of green infrastructure in managing water flow and resilience. The Team Leader: Climate Change & Sustainability advised that national guidance and local design expectations continued to evolve, ensuring new developments were able to retain more water than before development. Future reporting would present clearer links between project actions, emissions reduction and sequestration benefits.

In response to questions raised in relation to the achievability of the 2030 target, the Cabinet Member: Neighbourhoods, Planning & Sustainability acknowledged the Council’s ambitious nature but emphasised that the authority had a clear understanding of the works required across its estate. Members heard that a number of schemes were ready to progress subject to funding opportunities. While significant emissions reduction had already been achieved, future rounds of decarbonisation funding would be important and the intention remained to reduce emissions as far as possible before considering offsetting or sequestration.

The Committee welcomed the comprehensive update and noted the progress that had been made across a variety of projects.