Agenda item

Briefing note and presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

Councillors O’Boyle and Welsh, Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, Councillors Hetherton and Lloyd, Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for City Services and Councillors Caan and Ali, Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item 

The Committee considered a briefing note and received a presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) concerning the current position of climate change in Coventry. Councillor Lloyd, Deputy Cabinet Member for City Services attended the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The briefing note and presentation referred to the key drivers for climate change, the 2015 Paris Agreement and the Climate Change Act 2008.  The 2015 Act aspired to keep global warming between 1.5C and 2C while the Climate Change Act set legally binding targets on the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 34% by 2020 and net zero by 2050. 

Climate models suggested warmer and drier summers along with warmer and wetter winters, with weather extremes becoming more frequent. Such weather conditions were likely to make the working population, vulnerable groups and the elderly more susceptible to heat stress and there would be increased risks of flooding. The briefing note included an appendix which highlighted the impacts of increases of 1.5C and 2C in temperature.

Coventry’s Climate Change Strategy published in 2012 set a target to reduce carbon emissions by 27.5% by 2020 and this was achieved by 2014. The Committee were informed that in 2016 the City’s emissions were 1.3 million tonnes which was a 35.45% reduction from 2005. To ensure Coventry contributed to the Paris Agreement, the city had a carbon budget of 8.4 million tonnes CO2 for 2020-2100. If the city continues at its current usage, the entire carbon budget would be used up by 2027.

The report and presentation highlighted the major stakeholders in Coventry who would be integral to the success of addressing climate change in the city along with other key players. The Committee were informed that the Council’s role was to provide leadership and setting an example by reducing carbon in the Council’s assets and operations as well as implementing low carbon procurement policies. The Council would facilitate stakeholder engagement through raising awareness and stimulating carbon reduction action in developing a new climate change strategy. In addition, planning policy and land-use development conditions would be set so that emissions from the built environment would be reduced. The Council would also act as a central resource portal providing climate change guidance, education, and funding for project implementation.

The Council’s current Climate Change Strategy expired at the end of 2020 and work was already underway to ensure that the new strategy reflected the ambition and urgency that was needed to achieve zero admissions. Following the development of the Strategy, it was the intention to produce a city-wide Climate Change action plan. The Strategy would cover the following themes:

Domestic – included improving the thermal efficiency of homes, reducing fuel poverty and encouraging innovation.

Transport – included improvements to public transport and walking/cycling infrastructure.

Industry – included improving the efficiency of buildings/processes, better carbon management in schools and a carbon trading platform for businesses.

Environment – included sustainable procurement, enhanced biodiversity, sustainable food and driving behaviour change.

Education & Skills - upskilling, STEM subjects

Energy – included the development of an Energy innovation Zone, increased use of renewables and feasibility studies for new solutions e.g. mine water for heating/cooling.

Members questioned the officer on a number of issues and responses were provided, matters raised included:

·  What support was available from national government including additional funding for project initiatives

·  Was there co-operation with neighbouring local authorities and the West Midlands Combined Authority with respect to Climate Change

·  The importance of national Government taking a lead and providing consistency in policy making regarding Climate Change

·  The need for investment and subsidies in public transport, with transport becoming cheaper and more readily available

·  The options for putting solar panels on the roofs of Council owned buildings

·  The opportunities for local residents, businesses and Ward Councillors to be involved in the public consultation

·  The importance of everyone being involved with the behavioural shift required to make a difference for Climate Change

·  A suggestion that Coventry takes the lead and engages with other cities, passing on best practice for Climate Change

·  The importance of teaching local school children what the city is doing to tackle Climate Change

·  Ensuring buildings such as schools and offices didn’t have their lights left on overnight.

RESOLVED that:

(1) The current position on Climate Change in Coventry be noted

(2) Consideration be given to the inclusion of local residents and businesses in the consultation process along with the involvement/ support of Ward Councillors

(3) A report on the proposed consultation exercise for the Climate Change Strategy be submitted to a future meeting of the Board.