Agenda item

To receive an update on Climate Change Adaptation and the Council’s progress to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Neighbourhoods, Planning & Sustainability presented the annual update report on the Council's progress towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and on climate change adaptation activity.

Members were advised that since the 2018/19 baseline the Council had reduced its carbon emissions by 69%, leaving the authority approximately 5% ahead of its current pathway and on track to achieve a 70% reduction by 2027. The report highlighted the progress made through investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, low-carbon transport, building improvements and community-based projects.

Members noted that these measures had delivered an estimated £1.19m in avoided energy costs whilst supporting wider benefits including lower household energy bills, improved air quality and greater resilience to rising energy costs.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member highlighted recent improvements to Wellington Leisure Centre, which had reduced carbon emissions by 102 tonnes per annum and reduced energy costs by 35% as well as the continued rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the work of Telford Energy Advice and the development of the new Matthew Webb Swimming and Fitness Centre which would be powered entirely by renewable energy. The report also noted the importance of climate adaptation, including preparations for extreme weather events and the continued development of the Council's Climate Change Risk Register.

Cabinet Members welcomed the progress achieved and recognised the positive environmental, financial and public health benefits resulting from the Council's climate programme. Members highlighted the importance of continuing to reduce emissions whilst maintaining and enhancing services for residents and noted the role that climate adaptation would play in protecting communities from the effects of extreme weather. Members welcomed the financial savings achieved through investment in energy efficiency and renewable technologies together with the continued focus on community resilience and preparedness for flooding, heatwaves and other severe weather events.

Members also recognised the health impacts associated with climate change, including heat-related illness and the disproportionate effect on vulnerable residents. Continued investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and sustainable transport was also welcomed.

The Leader of the Conservative Group expressed support for reducing carbon emissions but raised concerns regarding the wider national approach to achieving net zero. He referred to the potential impact of rising energy costs on residents and businesses, questioned the pace of the transition away from fossil fuels and raised issues relating to energy security, food security and the costs associated with decarbonisation measures. Whilst supporting the long-term objective of reducing emissions, he advocated a more phased approach to achieving net zero.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the report and stressed the importance of continued action to address climate change. Referring to recent extreme weather events and rising temperatures, he highlighted the importance of renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and climate resilience. He supported continued investment in insulation programmes, tree planting and measures to strengthen longer-term energy security.

In response, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member highlighted the scientific consensus around climate change and emphasised that addressing climate change required coordinated global action. She reiterated the environmental, financial and community benefits arising from the Council's programme, including reduced energy costs, improved energy efficiency and increased resilience. She further noted that climate action and sustainable development were complementary objectives and that future housing and infrastructure would continue to be planned with sustainability in mind.

The Leader further welcomed the progress being made and reiterated the Council's commitment to creating a clean, green and welcoming Borough.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the positive progress the Council has made towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and that, by the end of March 2026, the Council has reduced its carbon emissions by 69% compared with the 2018/19 baseline be noted;

b)   the proposed actions the Council intends to take to continue progress towards carbon neutrality, as set out in the updated Corporate Carbon Neutral Action Plan attached in Appendix A be approved;

c)    the importance of climate adaptation and the additional work undertaken by the Council to develop a corporate climate change risk register, as set out in Appendix B be noted; and

d)   that this report is in relation to the Council’s response to the Climate Emergency Declaration and will be referred to Full Council for information as part of the ‘Matters Determined by the Cabinet’ report be noted.