Agenda item

To approve adopting and implementing the Climate and Nature Emergency Plan 2022-2030.

The item was presented by Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn

RESOLVED

The Cabinet's approval was received to adopt and implement the Climate and Nature Emergency Plan 2022-2030.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted and it was noted that a notice of motion had been submitted to the Council back in March 2019, outlining the risks deriving from the impacts of climate change. It was expressed that some delay had occurred with the climate change plan due to the pandemic. Despite this, it was explained that the plan was the end product of much hard work and the first step in response to climate change within the Council. The hope of achieving a net-zero Council by 2030 was noted. It was emphasised that the steps to be seen in the Plan were easy, but that there was a major challenge ahead of the Council.

The Head of Environment Department added that this was a cross-departmental plan but that it was currently being hosted in the Environment Department, which could offer guidance when needed.

The Climate Change Programme Manager noted that this was a corporate plan and that every member of staff needed to take ownership of the plan and act on it. It was expressed that the aim was clear, i.e. to be a net-zero Council by 2030 and it was explained that this was a national timetable set by the Welsh Government. It was explained that the plan highlighted that the work would extend way beyond 2030, but that it provided a firm foundation for the Council in terms of the work to be done. It was emphasised that there was further work to be done to prioritise the expenditure as well as short-term plans.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾    Attention was drawn to the need for the educational element of this plan; it was explained that getting children and young people involved with the plan and learning about climate change was an essential part of the plan. 

¾    The element of supporting communities to plan and provide local solutions to local needs was highlighted, and to encourage residents to participate in engagement work.

¾    It was noted that the Welsh Government's decision not to fund the Llanbedr Bypass scheme did not contribute to this plan as the construction of the road would reduce carbon emissions.

¾    Support was expressed for the report, noting that there had been very good work, specifically from Cllr Catrin Wager to move the plan forward and it was expressed that it would be good to see this developing over the next few years.

¾    Gratitude was expressed for the report, asking whether the Pension Fund invested responsibly. It was stated that a presentation had been given to Cabinet Members two years ago about responsible investment, explaining what the Pension Fund did. At that time, it was stated that the Pension Fund should deal appropriately and independently with the investments, as this was not within the Cabinet's decision-making powers.  It was noted that the Pension Board had been operating separately but there may be an opportunity to include a reference to the work of the Pension Fund in this plan. It was explained that a great deal had happened with green investments and that a draft version of a Responsible Investment Policy had been submitted to the Pension Board for pre-scrutiny prior to submission to the Pension Committee next week. 

¾    The team was congratulated on its work in creating the document and it was noted that it was important that the document was live, it was expressed that the field was so broad that the Plan had managed to capture everything.