Content

Decision
 
RESOLVED that Cabinet
approved the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy attached as
Appendix 1 to the report.
 
Reasons for
decision
 

1.    
Hertsmere Borough Council declared
climate emergency in September 2019. The purpose of the report is
to present the actions that the Council has taken or supported to
reduce emissions and improve environmental sustainability since
2019.

2.    
The report defines further actions
and measures that the Council can take to:

a.    
reduce its own emissions leading up
to net-zero emissions by 2050

b.    
offset its own operational
emissions that are unavoidable

c.     
further the implementation of
environmental sustainability and circular economy in the operations
of the Council

d.    
influence, enable and support
residents, businesses and public and third sector organisations in
the Borough to reduce and offset their own emissions

e.    
promote zero carbon and
environmentally sustainable growth and development of the
Council

f.       
support nature recovery in the
Borough and surrounding areas

g.    
promote a just transition to a
greener economy

h.    
improve well-being and quality of
life of the residents of the Council

i.       
help the Council and the Borough to
adapt and build resilience against impacts of climate
change
 
Alternative Options
Considered

 
The Council has committed to achieving net-zero
carbon emissions no later than 2050. A delay in acting on reducing
emissions will require more radical interventions in the future at
a greater cost, and larger impacts on the residents of the Council
and society at large.