Agenda item

This paper provides an update on the Climate Change Strategy, Engagement Plan and Carbon Reduction Activity.

The Committee received a presentation on the York Climate Change Strategy. Officers outlined data that had been collated and used in the development of the strategy to its current stage. Each sector’s required emission reductions were outlined. Members were informed that it was required for the York to reach a reduction of 54% of emissions in 2019 by 2030. The Core Principles for the strategy were outlined as well as stakeholder perspectives and a sample of case studies.

Members noted the importance of case studies highlighting that they provided clear examples of opportunities and possibilities for the city. The Committee also noted that they would encourage people to suggest new case studies and requested that a wider range of studies be available online. In discussion about the stakeholders involved in the Strategy, Members enquired as to whether the Citizens Panel were part of the City Partners group. It was confirmed that there was no current representation from the Citizens Panel on the group. Officers stated that representation from the Citizens Panel would be investigated further.

Discussion took place on the importance of reducing energy usage in new and existing buildings within the city. It was confirmed that work was currently being undertaken on Local Energy Plans which could compliment the Climate Change Strategy. The tackling of fuel poverty was raised as a key objective within the Climate Change Strategy. Members noted the impact of having the choice and access to low carbon appliances, as well as the importance of promoting cultural shifts to reduce the base use of carbon.

The Committee discussed the CDP report card for the Council. It was noted that the Council had received a B grade overall and this had been broken down to an A for adaptation and a C for mitigation. Officers confirmed that the Council performed better than other local authorises in the region for adaption and was on par for mitigation. It was confirmed that the Climate Change Strategy was not complete and agreed that this had impacted the Council’s grade. When the Climate Change Strategy was complete it was felt that the Council would receive an A grade on the new CDP report card. Members noted that the CDP report card would provide further data for the Council to compare progress against other Local Authorities. Further discussion took place in which the challenges of identifying and tackling Scope 3 emissions. Members agreed that it was important for the city to seek to tackle scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.

Officers confirmed that work was currently underway to link work on the Climate Change Strategy to the Economic Strategy and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It was confirmed that this should not delay the completion of the Climate Change Strategy and it was expected the three strategies would be considered by Full Council in July 2022.

Resolved:

                      i.         To request that officers consider adding a member of the Citizens Panel to the City Partners stakeholder group;

                     ii.         Noted the core principles of the Climate Change Strategy and agreed to further consider the strategy at the 12 April 2022 meeting of the Committee.

Reason:     To ensure the Committee has the opportunity to feed into the Climate Change Strategy.