Agenda item

To consider a Notice of Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1 regarding the Climate Change Agenda.

The Council considered the Notice of Motion on the Climate Change Agenda (as published) proposed by Councillor Alex Crawford and seconded by Councillor Jonathan Glen, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1.

Councillor Martin Tod, seconded by Councillor Adrian Collett moved the following Amendment in accordance with Standing Order 19.7:

In paragraph C, replace:

“Maintaining the County Council’s agreed commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050,”

With:

“Demonstrating a greater sense of urgency on this vital issue by bringing forward the target to be carbon neutral to 2040,”

In paragraph E, add after the words “annual climate change report”:

“enhancing the report to measure progress towards the net zero target as well as progress on individual projects”

So that the new paragraph E reads:

“Continuing to report annually through the annual climate change report, enhancing the report to measure progress towards the net zero target as well as progress on individual projects, utilising relevant indicators where appropriate and ensuring resources are directed and coordinated effectively.” 

Add a new paragraph J:

“Benchmarking the Council’s programme against other County Councils making faster progress in decarbonisation and identifying approaches that can be reapplied.”

The proposer of the Motion Councillor Crawford spoke to the Motion and highlighted the accelerating progress of climate change and the recent science as reported at COP26 Conference.  He commended the Motion to Members as the way forward to advance the climate change agenda as the opportunity to do so arises. 

The Deputy Leader of the Council reminded Members that the County Council had aligned itself with the Government’s national target for carbon neutrality by 2050 and commented that approximately 98% of emissions in Hampshire are outside the direct responsibility and control of the County Council.  Therefore, actions taken to reduce these emissions required support and intervention from national government.  The Deputy Leader confirmed that the County Council must use its resources to maximum effect and ensure clarity on the role and responsibilities it has across a complex stakeholder landscape.  As outlined in its Climate Change Strategy and annual report, the primary role of the County Council was one of leadership through advocacy, partnership working and establishing the necessary framework of strategies to support partners, residents, and businesses.  The Deputy Leader emphasised that when it has been possible to do so, the County Council had brought forward initiatives such as solar panels in many of its schools and a green library which is the process of being established.

During the course of the debate Members expressed a wide range of views on what was acknowledged as a very important topic. 

It was noted that currently there was not an indication by Government to bring forward the national target for carbon neutrality from 2050 to 2040 or associated funding.  It was recognised that although the Amendment was well intentioned, it was not supported by a full strategy with costings for Members to scrutinise for approval, and taking such a decision in the absence of fully worked up proposals would inevitably add to the financial strain the County Council was experiencing as detailed in the budget debate earlier in the proceedings.  It would also not take account of the other efforts the County Council was making to adapt to climate change and build resilience such as: the preparation of, and careful consideration of climate change impact assessments for all decisions taken, tree planting which not only has carbon benefits, but also ancillary benefits of reducing flooding and reversing species loss and ground source heat pumps as a pilot in several schools.

However, the view was expressed that more could be done, such as encouraging solar panel generation and doing more with offshore wind, bringing services to people rather than people to services, devolving more local services so people can access them on foot, increasing home working, encouraging the use of electric vehicles and improving the infrastructure of EV charging points, and benchmarking against what others are doing to help drive improvement.  Concerns were also raised about the rapid rate at which climate change was happening and the impact, particularly for future generations.  The significant effects of climate change had been evidenced in recent months by extreme weather storms causing flooding and a range of other infrastructure issues.

Also recognised was the challenges of achieving carbon neutrality and retaining it, which would need the removal of all petrol vehicles from roads and gas from all homes.  The importance of working together to change existing practices, whether that be locally, nationally, or internationally was highlighted.

In replying to the debate, the Leader thanked Members for a very thorough debate.  The Leader highlighted that the Motion very clearly stated that if more could be done and more quickly it would be, but it was important for the County Council to be lined up with the Government funding.  As commented on by other Members, to make a change now without a fully worked up plan would not be appropriate.  In conclusion, the Leader agreed with the comments of other Members about the excellent work being done by officers working on climate change; a lot had already been achieved and in many areas the County Council was leading the way.

As the Proposer of the Motion, Councillor Crawford welcomed the contributions made during the debate, particularly two key comments that it needed everyone to work together in the future, and the key role of government in setting the national framework.  Councillor Crawford commented that he would like to see the County Council lobbying the Government for future funding to address wider issues such as home insulation and transport.  In conclusion, he expressed the view that the County Council was doing the best it could and was preparing a stance for the future when funding becomes available.

The Chairman put the Amendment to the vote.  The majority of Members present voted against it and the Amendment was therefore lost. 

The Chairman put the Motion, as published, to the vote and the majority of Members present supported the Motion which was carried. 

RESOLVED:

Building on the achievements and the experience of its climate-change strategy since declaring a climate emergency in June 2019, the County Council ensures continued focused leadership and ambition for the climate-change agenda, under the decision making of the Executive Member for 2050 and associated scrutiny of the Hampshire 2050 and Corporate Services Select Committee, by:

A)    Ensuring climate change impact assessments remain relevant and are appropriately considered.

B)    Continuing to promote the importance of climate change resilience for our residents and communities in accordance with the Climate Change Strategy, and in particular the impact of extreme weather events, rising sea levels and rising temperatures.

C)    Maintaining the County Council’s agreed commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050, whilst promoting opportunities to move more quickly to Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero through new specific funding opportunities and/or emerging policy requirements. This will include the on-going commitment to deliver carbon and greenhouse gas reductions across its own estate where opportunity and funding become available.

D)    Continuing to promote the importance of wildlife protection, management of land for nature and biodiversity through Local Nature Partnerships and the developing Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

E)    Continuing to report annually through the annual climate change report, utilising relevant indicators where appropriate and ensuring resources are directed and coordinated effectively.

F)     Ensuring newly developed statutory policies including the Minerals and Waste Plan reflect current and more stringent climate policy considerations.

G)    Recognising the importance of engaging and communicating with residents to signpost and promote climate change action including renewable energy, home insulation and sustainable transport.

H)    Continuing to promote the importance of and enabling active travel and cycling and walking through the Local Transport Plan.

I)      Continuing to engage effectively with the Climate Change Expert Stakeholder Forum as mechanism to provide engagement and advice.