Agenda item

To consider progress on the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.

The Committee considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 13 to 64, which gave details of the Council’s initial Climate Emergency Action Plan. The Action Plan set out the initial steps that the Council would take on the journey to achieving net zero carbon by 2030.

The report stated that the Council had passed a Motion declaring a Climate Emergency at its meeting on 18 July 2019. Work had been carried out to establish a baseline of carbon emissions for the Borough. Wokingham Borough’s carbon footprint was 580.9 ktCO2e (based on 2017 data). This calculation did not include areas outside the Council’s influence such as carbon emissions from motorways and rail travel.

The Council had identified eight key priority areas to pursue as follows:

·           Reducing Carbon Dioxide emissions from transport;

·           Reducing Carbon Dioxide emissions from domestic and business property (the Green Bank project);

·           Generating more renewable energy;

·           Creating a Local Plan which specifies Net Zero construction and infrastructure;

·           Increasing the levels of Carbon Sequestration by greening the environment;

·           Engaging with young people and supporting sustainable schools;

·           Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill;

·           Encouraging behaviour change across the Borough.

The initial Action Plan had been developed using ideas from local residents, Town and Parish Councils, businesses, schools and Council Officers. The report stated that the Council had committed £50m over the next three years (subject to Council Budget approval) for implementation of the initiatives in the Action Plan.

Following approval of the initial Action Plan by the Council an annual progress report would be submitted to Council, commencing in July 2020. The progress report would include a fully costed action plan with carbon saving quotas against individual projects.

It was proposed by Sarah Kerr and seconded by Paul Fishwick that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee setting out options for effective scrutiny of the Climate Emergency Action Plan, one option being the establishment of a separate Climate Emergency Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Upon being put to the vote, the proposal was agreed.

The Committee considered the initial Climate Emergency Action Plan and Members made the following points:

What steps would be taken to replace gas appliances in residents’ homes? Would the proposed solar farms be able to generate enough alternative energy? Gregor Murray stated that the proposed Green Bank would support residents in behaviour change including investment on the replacement of gas boilers with energy efficient electric boilers. Solar panels on the roofs of properties would also help to reduce emissions from domestic gas.

Paul Fishwick stated that, as this was the “initial” Climate Emergency Action Plan, the recommendation in the report should be amended to reflect that status. Gregor Murray accepted this point and undertook to amend the recommendation to Council to refer to the “initial” Climate Emergency Action Plan.

In relation to the charts and table on Pages 26/27 of the Agenda, what modelling had been carried out to identify the predicted and target carbon emissions? Gregor Murray stated that work was under way to establish a full carbon budget which would be included in the progress report to Council in July 2020.

How much reforestation would be required in order to fill the gap between the “business as usual” carbon emissions illustrated on Page 26 of the Agenda and the target of carbon neutral by 2030? Gregor Murray confirmed that the Council was working with the Woodland Trust to identify what was achievable over the next ten years. A key factor would be to plant the right trees in the right locations.

In relation to solar farms, did the Council own the land under consideration? Gregor Murray stated that WBC was the biggest landowner in the Borough. The Council owned a number of farms which had been tenanted but were now under consideration for this project. Other sites were also under consideration.

In relation to the scope of the Climate Emergency project, could the work include the development of an Air Quality Action Plan, addressing CO2 and other pollutants? Gregor Murray stated that the principal focus of the Climate Emergency project. However, other linked issues such as air quality and reducing the amount of single-use plastics should also be considered.

In relation to the Climate Emergency budget figures, set out on Page 42 of the Agenda, some items appeared to have been in the budget for a number of years. In relation to the proposed £13m investment in future road building/enhancement, which new roads would result in a reduction of carbon emissions? Gregor Murray stated that the investment related to new technologies and systems which would deliver a reduction in emissions. The aim was to reduce car usage whilst, at the same time deliver smoother running for vehicles that did use the road network.

In relation to the proposed Coppid Beech Park and Ride, was the £2.7m LEP funding confirmed or was the project still awaiting the green light? If the scheme went ahead, what carbon reductions would be achieved? Gregor Murray stated that the funding had not yet been confirmed. Calculations on the carbon impact would be carried out when the scheme was approved.

In relation to enhancements to the public transport network, it would be difficult to deliver new bus lanes due to the layout of the old market towns. Gregor Murray agreed that the current road network would make it difficult to introduce new/enhanced bus lanes. Discussions were ongoing with Reading Buses to identify new ideas for making bus travel more attractive.

RESOLVED That:

1)        the initial Climate Emergency Action Plan be noted;

2)        Gregor Murray and the Officers be thanked for their efforts to date in developing the action plan;

3)        a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee, setting out options for effective scrutiny of the Climate Emergency Action Plan, one option being the establishment of a separate Climate Emergency Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Note: Andy Croy stated that, in his opinion, the initial Climate Emergency Action Plan presented to the Committee was not credible and he could not support it in its current form.