Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

(a)  recommend to Council that a Climate Change and Nature Emergency be declared.

(b)  agree to bring a report to the February 2022 Cabinet meeting on the proposed action plan to deal with the Emergency, and the role the Council will play in reducing Carbon emissions.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Full Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Leader.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and proposed an amendment to the recommendations to recommend the declaration of a climate change and nature emergency to the Council.  Cllr Cleary seconded the amendment.

The Leader highlighted the apologies of Cllr M Wade who had proposed the original motion to Council in September 2021.  The Leader welcomed Cllrs Dowd and Osborne to speak in Cllr Wade’s absence.

Cllr Dowd spoke in support of the original motion and challenged Members to do everything to protect the natural environment by examining everything the Council does with regard to climate change.  Cllr Osborne as seconder of the original motion also spoke in support of declaring a climate emergency.

The Portfolio Holder for Business, Tourism and High Streets highlighted his previous reluctance to use the word emergency when action plans targeted dates many years into the future and an emergency inferred an immediate response.  However, with many initiatives already being undertaken by the Council, the declaration of a climate and nature emergency allowed for a mutually supportive strategy to be developed with partners who had also made similar declarations.  The Leader also highlighted the need to communicate the Council’s achievements and future plans in this area, given the extensive progress already made, as outlined within the report.

A number of Members spoke in support of the Council declaring a climate emergency.  Those speaking against highlighted the need to ensure the Council’s sound financial management continued against the backdrop of very challenging targets and expectations such as making the New Forest District carbon neutral by 2030 or 2050.

The Leader of the Council responded to the questions and statements of Members and highlighted the benefit of considering an action plan in February 2022.  This action plan would go a long way to setting the ambitious, but realistic and proportionate targets the Council could achieve in this area.  A huge part of this would be to support residents through the sustainability agenda.  Encouraging small changes to habits that could be afforded and embraced by individuals would play a key part in District’s journey towards a more sustainable future climate and natural environment, particularly in an area as unique and special as the New Forest.