The Council has decided to approve the refreshed Climate Emergency Response Plan for 2025-2030 to tackle climate change and work towards becoming carbon neutral by 2045.

URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1989

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Transport and Highways which sought endorsement of the refreshed Climate Emergency Response Plan for 2025-2030, following consultation on the Plan.   Members were reminded that the Plan set out the Council’s recommended approach to tackling climate change within the borough, built on the previous Climate Emergency Response Plan 2019-2024 and sought to learn lessons from good practice in tackling climate change to create a more joined up, effective and informed response by the Council, partners and stakeholders.   Members noted that this was a comprehensive and evolving strategy that reflected the borough’s ambition to become carbon neutral and climate resilient by 2045.  It set out a clear pathway for action, accountability and progress and had been shaped by co-design, extensive engagement, evidence gathering and collaboration across communities, businesses and partners.  The Plan had been considered by the Climate Taskforce and also Cheshire West and Chester Overview and Scrutiny Committee, with their recommendations shown at 4.5 in the report.   Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways (including Waste).   Visiting Members:  Councillors Adrian Waddelove and Charles Hardy spoke in relation to the item and Councillor Charles Hardy also spoke on behalf of Councillor Simon Eardley.   Cabinet members welcomed the comprehensive report and noted that, as well as meeting local needs and best practice, the Plan aligned with a number of wider plans and strategies such as the Local Plan, Local Transport Plan, Local Nature Recovery Strategy and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, demonstrating the ‘golden thread’ in relation to everything the Council and partners were involved in.  Members acknowledged the challenges and opportunities around carbon capture and the need to move at pace to develop technologies.  They also acknowledged challenges around scepticism of some in relation to the climate emergency and net zero and it was felt that the Taskforce needed to consider communication with residents to bring them along the journey as we are all custodians of the planet.  Climate team officers were thanked for their incredible work and for producing the refreshed Plan.   DECIDED:    That   the Climate Emergency Response Plan 2025-2030 (attached at Appendix A to the report) be approved.   Reason for Decision   1)            The Climate Emergency Response Plan was developed following the unanimous Council decision to declare a Climate Emergency in 2019. In January 2020, Council directed that a Climate Emergency Response Plan should be produced to support the borough in its goals. It has now been five years since the initial decision to produce a Plan, and therefore it is a timely opportunity to refresh the Plan for the next five year period, 2025-2030, ensuring it remains relevant and updated with the best available data, actions and commitments. 2)            The refreshed Climate Emergency Response Plan is closely aligned with the Council’s organisational strategy, related to one of the organisational mission of Greener Communities in particular. This strategy builds on the legacy of the Council’s previous Climate Emergency response Plan and is linked with our process to re-develop the Local Plan, Local Transport Plan and Local Nature Recovery Strategy, among other priorities. As one of the highest emitting areas in the UK (9th highest local authority, from the latest available data) and one which is the target of significant public and private sector investment, the Council has a unique opportunity to deliver the benefits of clean growth locally. The Council’s vision remains to support the borough to be carbon neutral by 2045 and the Council as an organisation by 2030. The Plan has been developed following extensive engagement and consultation with partners and stakeholders. The associated reports on the engagement and consultation processes are attached as Appendix B and C.   Alternative Options   An option is not to approve the refreshed version of the Climate Emergency Response Plan and request that further work is undertaken on the Plan.

Date of Decision: July 9, 2025