Issue - meetings

1        That the Winchester City Council Offsetting Policy be approved, with regard to a hierarchy approach of:

1.1       Carbon emission reduction

1.2       Carbon credits creation

1.3       Carbon removal

1.4       Buying carbon credits from accredited UK schemes.

2        That the inclusion of the Offsetting Policy into the Annual Carbon Neutrality Action Plan 2023 be approved.

Councillor Learney introduced the report and emphasised the importance of having a policy in place but that carbon offsetting would always be a last option for the council in meeting its net zero carbon emissions target. 

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Wallace and Bolton addressed Cabinet as summarised below.

Councillor Wallace

He acknowledged that the council had made significant reductions in its carbon emissions and had plans in place to reduce further.  However, he had concerns about the use of carbon offsetting because of uncertainties regarding the long-term effectiveness of the schemes used.  In addition, he believed the promise of carbon offsetting schemes could delay or deter actual action in some circumstances.  He requested that the council not agree to the use of carbon offsetting, but instead focus on more district-wide interventions.

Councillor Bolton

He welcomed the confirmation that carbon offsetting would only be used as a last resort.  However, he expressed concern about any monies being spent on projects outside of the district and believed that instead the council should commit to a special fund for residential improvements to cut carbon emissions.  He also questioned whether adequate account had been taken to the possibility of the cost of carbon offsetting credits per tonne rising significantly.

Councillor Learney and the Corporate Head of Economy and Community responded to the comments made, including confirming that the policy stipulated that carbon offsetting spending should be on schemes within the district.

The intention to include the Carbon Offsetting Policy within the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan was highlighted and a slight amendment to recommendation 2 of the report agreed to clarify this.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

1             That the Winchester City Council Offsetting Policy be approved, with regard to a hierarchy approach of:

1.1 Carbon emission reduction

1.2 Carbon credits creation

1.3 Carbon removal

1.4 Buying carbon credits from accredited UK schemes.

2             That the inclusion of the Offsetting Policy into the Annual Carbon Neutrality Action Plan 2023 be approved.