The Sustainable Development Select Committee met on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to discuss the council's climate emergency response and ecological governance. The committee resolved to recommend to Mayor and Cabinet that the refreshed Climate Strategy should strengthen accountability for climate targets, place greater emphasis on the council's role as a convenor for borough-wide emissions, and prioritise heat decarbonisation, adaptation, and resilience. They also resolved to note the report on ecological governance and participatory budgeting.

Climate Emergency Response

The committee reviewed the council's Climate Action Plan, noting strong progress made since its initial publication in 2020 and subsequent refresh in 2024. However, significant challenges remain, including funding limitations, capacity constraints, technical complexities in delivering infrastructure, and the council's limited direct control over many emissions sources. The report highlighted that the council is responsible for only approximately 2% of borough-wide emissions.

Key recommendations were made to Mayor and Cabinet regarding the refreshed Climate Strategy:

• Strengthened Accountability: Mayor and Cabinet should consider methods to enhance accountability for smart targets¹ and more frequent reporting (every six months) to the committee.
• Convenor and Influencer Role: The refreshed Climate Strategy should place greater emphasis on Lewisham's role as a convenor and influencer in addressing borough-wide emissions.
• Heat Decarbonisation Priority: Heat decarbonisation should be identified as a strategic priority in its own right within the refreshed strategy.
• Adaptation and Resilience: The strategy should place greater emphasis on adaptation and resilience, particularly in light of recent heatwaves and the evolving climate emergency.
• Funding and Delivery: The refreshed Climate Strategy must clearly outline how major programmes will be delivered amidst declining or discontinued funding streams, identifying potential external or innovative funding routes.

During the discussion, Dr. Giovanna Speciale from South East London Community Energy (SELCE) highlighted opportunities in community-owned solar energy, energy efficiency improvements, home retrofit support, and programmes addressing fuel poverty. She stressed that improving energy efficiency in homes is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and supporting residents with energy costs. The committee also discussed barriers to decarbonisation, such as the high cost of heat pumps and retrofit works, a shortage of skilled contractors, and the need for better public understanding and trusted local advice.

Ecological Governance and Participatory Budgeting

The committee received a report summarising ecological governance in Lewisham, outlining challenges and opportunities, and providing background information on Rights for Nature². Officers highlighted the role of the Biodiversity Action Plan³, Parks and Open Spaces Strategy⁴, and the Local Plan⁵ in supporting biodiversity objectives. The significant contributions of local residents, community groups, volunteers, and partner organisations, such as the Lewisham Biodiversity Partnership⁶, were acknowledged.

Key challenges identified included limited council influence over privately owned land, balancing biodiversity with development and service priorities, changes to Biodiversity Net Gain⁷ requirements, invasive species, climate change impacts, and insufficient resources for biodiversity projects. Opportunities were discussed for strengthening local protections, improving funding, restoring habitats, and embedding biodiversity considerations more consistently across council activities.

The committee also considered the concept of Rights for Nature, exploring how ecological considerations are currently integrated into council decision-making and potential avenues for further development. A presentation by Jez Hall from Shared Future explored community-led environmental action and participatory budgeting⁸, offering examples of how residents, schools, businesses, and community groups could influence environmental priorities and projects. Mr. Hall emphasized that participatory budgeting should be seen as a tool for community empowerment and cultural change, aiming to widen participation beyond established groups. Members discussed the importance of inclusivity, accountability, effective communication, and long-term commitment in designing participatory budgeting programmes, noting opportunities to pilot such approaches through initiatives like the Nature Towns and Cities programme and the Community Energy Fund. The committee resolved to note the report.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. Councillor Gavin Moore raised the matter of including a discussion on the regeneration of Catford Town Centre⁹, which had been requested at a previous meeting. The Chair confirmed that this item would be discussed with officers and included in the work programme. The committee resolved to note the work programme.