Purpose

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking approval for Southampton city Council to adopt a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

Decision

(i)  To adopt the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2030.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place,  following consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, to update the Strategy and Action Plan and make amendments, as long as they do not change its core value or have financial implications, so that all implementation, delivery and management requirements continue to be sufficient and effective.

Reasons for the decision

1  The Climate Change and Action Plan will support the delivery of the Council’s existing priority outcomes, refresh existing activities, and deliver new ones. It will ensure that environmental impacts are given due consideration in the delivery of its services and decision making and where possible ensure we maximise the opportunity to deliver benefits. It will seek to encourage council suppliers, partners and city stakeholders to adopt the same set of principles and deliver their own actions. It will encourage all stakeholders including both business, community groups and public sector organisation to work together to deliver a shared outcome, making Southampton a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable environment for all. It will facilitate the delivery of specific actions in response to the ambition for its services and activities to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2030, and the Corporate Plan commitment to be a carbon zero city by 2035.

2  To allow officers to make changes as appropriate and update the documents to reflect ongoing changes in government policy.

Alternative options considered

1  Not adopt the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2030. Southampton City Council made a commitment in its Green City Plan to update its policy concerning its carbon reduction ambitions and how it would tackle climate change. This document fulfils that requirement and in its absence, risks missing its net zero targets and ability take effective action to address the future risks that climate change presents.

2  Delay adoption of the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2030. The document presented has been prepared over a 12-month period and provides an authoritative examination of the opportunities the council currently has available to deliver net zero and address climate change risks.  Delaying adoption of the document would leave the council without a clear strategic plan and its ability to progress its ambitions would be hindered.