Issue - meetings

RESOLVED – that the:

1)    update on Climate Change actions be noted;

2)    procurement of renewable electricity in future years, as outlined in the report, be agreed.

Executive considered the report of the Portfolio Holder – Carbon Reduction Efficiencies which provided an update on the steps taken to achieve the Council’s climate change ambitions.  The report also sought approval to purchase electricity from certified renewable sources from April 2021.

The Council had adopted a Carbon Reduction Plan in 2018, which set out the Council’s ambition to both reduce its own carbon footprint, along with leading the community to do the same.  The report summarised the progress to date on the Council’s own climate change objectives and estimated that CO₂ emission savings were in excess of 661 tonnes per annum.

The report also set out a proposal for the Council to further reduce its emissions and to demonstrate demand for renewable energy, by committing to purchasing electricity from a certified renewable energy tariff in the future.  This would reduce the Councils carbon emissions by a further estimated 741 tonnes per annum, which was greater that the whole corporate target of a 750 tonne reduction over a period of three years.

Moved by Councillor Nick Clarke and seconded by Councillor Mary Dooley

RESOLVED – that the:

1)    update on Climate Change actions be noted;

2)    procurement of renewable electricity in future years, as outlined in the report, be agreed.

REASON FOR DECISION:

In order to further reduce emissions and to demonstrate demand for renewable energy.  The decision to purchase renewable electricity would reduce the Councils carbon emissions by a further estimated 741 tonnes per annum, which was a greater reduction than the whole corporate target of a 750 tonne reduction over a period of 3 years.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

The Council could have chosen not to increase the unit cost of energy and simply chosen the cheapest tariff.  This was discounted due to the significant carbon emission savings that would be made from the recommended action.

The Council could also have chosen to purchase a renewable gas tariff too.  The reasons why this was not recommended at this time were set out in the report.

            (Director of Environment and Enforcement)