To consider the following
Motion to be proposed by Councillor Danny Lee (seconded by
Councillor Malcom Wallace):
Title:
Accelerating Climate and Nature Emergency
Actions
Preamble:
Winchester City Council's
Carbon Neutrality Action Plan aims to meet our net zero targets by
2024 for the Council and 2030 for the District.
Achieving net zero
locally is projected to cost half as much as a national approach
while tripling financial returns(i)
and delivering three times faster(ii).
Despite this, national
preparation for climate change impacts remain
inadequate.
Office for Environmental
Protection (OEP) has raised significant concerns about failures to
properly implement regulations which means key Environmental Plan
and local targets for improvement are likely to be
missed(iii).
Central government
must enhance collaboration with local governments to deliver faster
for the Climate and Nature crises(iv).
The most significant
climate impacts affect our most vulnerable populations, who are
least able to adapt(v).
Degradation of natural
habitats affects community well-being, contributes to climate
change by releasing stored carbon. Restoration and protection of
these habitats are crucial for mitigating climate change and
maintaining biodiversity(vi)?.
It is crucial for the
new UK government to prioritise climate change with additional
resources to expand local actions and meet UK's net zero targets
and Nature targets.
This
Council Notes:
·
Our State of Nature is struggling to recover, and
global warming temperatures have exceeded 1.5oC across
an entire year and are now breaching
2.0oC(vii).
- The importance of
local initiatives to contribute to the UK's commitment to net zero
by 2050 and a 78% reduction in emissions by 2030 from 1990
levels(viii).
·
The Government Net Zero Strategy
estimates c82% of the UK’s emissions are “within the
scope of influence of local authorities”
- Studies indicate that
local authorities could save the UK approximately £140
billion and deliver substantial energy and social benefits through
localised climate and nature initiatives- an additional £400
billion in wider co-benefits(ix).
- Local authorities
need additional funding to enhance their contributions to the
UK’s net zero and nature protection goals(x).
- A local climate
'test' applied to all government policy/funding decisions would
support rather than conflict with local action. Ensures national policies align with and reinforce
local climate initiatives. Thus, creating a cohesive approach to
enable local authorities’ climate goals for faster more
efficient and effective delivery? (as proposed by the LGA)
(xi).
- Local Nature Recovery
Strategies (LNRS) can play a pivotal role in safeguarding our
natural environment, ensuring sustainable development, and
enhancing habitat value for carbon sequestration/associated
ecosystem services and the well-being of our communities with
long-term environmental, economic, and social
benefits(xii).
- An enhanced local
focus on climate and nature through a government policy reset with
new support could:
- Address climate
change and nature crises more equitably and promptly, with improved
consideration of impacts on different community
segments.
- Improve adaptation
plans for a 'Just Transition' in housing and business sectors,
increasing resilience against extreme climate events and bolstering
both natural and built environments. This includes:
- Promoting
energy-efficient housing, protection from heatwaves, walkable
neighbourhoods, nature-based solutions for flooding, reduced
traffic pollution, and addressing health inequalities.
- Facilitating closer
coordination with partners for more effective local
actions.
The
Council Resolves To:
- Urge the new
Government to form a partnership with councils to fast-track local
decarbonisation with nature protection, restoration, and
adaptation.
- Request the Council
Leader to write to our local MP and encourage Group Leaders to
lobby their national parties to support these initiatives in a
revitalised national-local government relationship.
-
Ask HCC to work closer with Districts to accelerate
delivery of Net Zero and Nature restoration.
(i)
https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0703/
& (Local Government
Association)?
(ii)
www.circularonline.co.uk/news
(iii)
www.theoep.org.uk
(iv)
https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Financing-Local-Net-Zero-Projects-A-Guide-for-Local-Authorities.pdf
(v)
https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0703/
(vi)
BMJ Gut)
(vii)
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/landmark-report-shows-uk-wildlifes-devastating-decline&
https://climate.copernicus.eu/copernicus-global-temperature-record-streak-continues-april-2024-was-hottest-record.
Extreme heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods
(viii)
https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/independent-assessment-the-uks-net-zero-strategy/
(ix)
(Local Government
Association)?? (Local Government
Association)?.
(x)
(UK 100)?? (UK 100)?.
(xi)
https://www.local.gov.uk/about/campaigns/make-it-local/back-local-climate-action/back-local-climate-action-further
&
https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/local-government-white-paper
(xii)
(Public Pack)Agenda Document for Executive Member
for Hampshire 2050 and Corporate Services Decision Day, 27/06/2024
14:00 (hants.gov.uk)