Decision details

The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services which indicated that Sefton Council had declared a climate emergency in 2019 and it has a target to achieve net zero carbon by 2030 for Council operations which is set out in the Climate Change Emergency Strategy to achieve this goal.

The report indicated that the Council are coming to the end of the phase 1 delivery (2020 –2023) of the strategy / action plan, and as Phase 2 begins, the strategy highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with the next stage of implementing this challenging commitment.

The Liverpool City Region climate emergency target, to reach net zero by 2040 for all sectors, requires input and collaboration on housing, energy, transport, land use and climate resilience.

Decision Made:

That the Council be recommended to give approval to the implementation of Phase 2 of the Climate Change Emergency strategy / action plan and note the interim targets and the work required to meet the committed net zero targets over the next three years.

Reasons for the Decision:

To meet the Council’s net zero carbon commitment by 2030, significant action would be required. It is important that elected members are fully aware of the challenges of meeting that target. Supplementary reports would be brought to elected members for each of the specific actions, as well as annual reports on progress.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not to take action on the climate emergency and net zero carbon targets, would be contrary to government policy direction and increase exposure and vulnerability to climate change impacts.