Issue - decisions

Cabinet received a report setting out the annual summary of actions taken, and progress made, on the eight strategic themes set out in Stevenage’s 2020 Climate Change Strategy.  Key initiatives included:

• Retrofitting homes to improve energy efficiency.
• Decarbonising the Council’s vehicle fleet.
• Launching a Green Business Grant to support sustainable practices.
• Enhancing biodiversity through tree planting schemes.
• Engaging communities via the Climate Change Community Fund.

The report also highlighted action being taken by the Council at county level through the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) and the work being undertaken at neighbourhood and individual level to drive behavioural change across the town.

The Portfolio Holder was pleased to report that in order to improve the accuracy and consistency of future emissions tracking, the Council was developing a new greenhouse gas baseline and a transparent reporting framework.  It was noted that while Stevenage continued to make progress towards the national net zero target, achieving this by 2030 would require ongoing legislative and financial support from central Government.

Cabinet paid tribute to those Officers and Members who had worked to ensure Stevenage was in the forefront of the Climate Change agenda.  Members were pleased to note that all new developments in the town were taking on the best environmental standards in Climate Change quality assurance guarantees.

Members were keen to ensure that all Councillors used their Climate Change Community Fund for opportunities in their wards to fund schemes to improve the environment in their areas.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.  That the progress made in delivering the 2020 Stevenage Climate Change Strategy over the past year across the eight strategic areas be noted. Of particular note is Stevenage’s lowest historical GHG emissions in 2023, delivering a 7.2% decrease from 2022 levels, and 22.6% lower than in the baseline year (2018) resulting in Stevenage’s per capita emissions in 2023 being lower than county, regional, and national averages.

2.  That work to secure ongoing external funding, partnerships, and income-generating opportunities be endorsed, particularly in terms of renewable energy generation, to support delivery of the 2030 net-zero target and build long-term resilience.

3.  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change to review and update the Strategy over the coming year as required, to ensure it continues to align with the Council’s corporate priorities.