Agenda item

[Report of the Director for Housing, Regeneration and Planning.  To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Equalities and Leisure]

This report and appendix sets out the actions required by the borough stakeholders, the Council, and Government to achieve a Net Zero Carbon Borough by 2041.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Equalities and Leisure introduced the report which set out the results of public engagement on the Borough’s Climate Change Action Plan and sought approval to the Council’s responses to the engagement process, agree the alteration made to the Action Plan and to formally adopt the Haringey Climate Action Plan.

Joe Baker, Head of Carbon Management responded to questions from Councillor Emery:

-           The local volunteer network was a request from the community.  It enabled co-delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan.  The network would be facilitated by Council staff.

-           Targets would be monitored and reported as part of the Annual Carbon Report.

RESOLVED to

1.           Accept the results of the community engagement on the draft Haringey Climate Change Action Plan and the alterations made as a result of the feedback;

2.           Agree the alterations within the Haringey Climate Change Action Plan that have been made based on the community’s feedback;

3.           Agree to adopt the updated Haringey Climate Change Action Plan

Reasons for decision

Delivering a net zero carbon borough by 2050 is an objective in the Borough Plan 2019-23. However, in light of the new scientific evidence published in the report Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2018), Full Council in March 2019 agreed to declare a climate emergency, and to review this date for delivery with a view to bringing it forward in recognition of that emergency. 

In March 2020 the Council agreed to publish and consult on the draft Haringey Climate Change Action Plan. The Action Plan sets out the actions required with a challenging but realistic timeframe to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint. It sets out the actions which are already funded, the additional funding that is needed and the legislative changes needed. It also outlines the delivery routes with national, and regional government, as well as the work required from borough’s stakeholders. Between October 2020 and January 2021, the Council undertook engagement across the Haringey Community. This information has been used to inform the draft Action Plan and set clearer priorities for the Council and community to focus on.

National and regional governments have increased their focus and funding on the delivery of “Green Growth” and funding related to COVID recovery plans for England all have a focus on a green recovery. The Action Plan now reflects these changes at a national and regional level and new funding opportunities. This Action Plan will enable the Council to secure these funding streams.

Alternative options considered

Reflect a limited number of points from the community in the CCAP. This was rejected as the Climate Change ambition and its delivery is far wider than just the Council. The Council only directly manages approx. 8% of the borough’s total carbon footprint. This covers all council buildings, the majority of the schools, the Council’s fleet and the Council’s housing stock managed through Homes for Haringey. Therefore, if the borough is to deliver a Net Zero Carbon Borough this will need to be based around trust and shared knowledge. By taking on board the community views this will start this process.

While reflecting only a limited number of points from the community may allow us to remain focussed on a smaller number of priority areas. This option was rejected because of the considerable community and partnership contributions needed to implement the CCAP.