Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

The Head of Service - City Centre and Net Zero presented the report making the following points:

·         data was for 2022 as there was a two year lag;

·         this was the second report, the first having been three years ago covering 2019;

·         the Greenhouse Gas Report was kindly funded by the University of Exeter, via the Exeter Civic University Agreement;

·         Exeter’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 45,000t between 2019 and 2022 to an estimated 466,000t which represented a 9% decrease. The majority of the decline reflected the continued decarbonisation of power;

·         a lack of progress in the buildings and transport sectors was particularly concerning as these sectors are the major sources of GHG emissions for Exeter, and reductions fell well short of the level of change required;

·         reducing emissions and achieving net zero would require a concerted effort from all stakeholders within the city: businesses, residents, VCSE sector as well as the public sector;

·         waste was now treated within the city therefore included in emissions but biogenic content and energy generation not considered;

·         change in behaviour was required – such as where residents go on holiday, where and how they spend and where businesses bought raw materials;

·         the team would work with Building Greater Exeter in how the construction sector was supported and advised on consumption-based data; and

·         the next update would be in March 2025.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities and the Head of Service - City Centre and Net Zero answered Members’ questions making the following points:

·         access to active travel for those with a disability could be drawn into the Transport Working Group and reported to DCC;

·         cost of living had an impact on behaviour change;

·         government grants could be made more visible;

·         carbon budget had not yet been discussed;

·         milestones and metrics would be available in March;

·         there was work to be done in reaching out to residents about schemes such as Warm Homes; and

·         the council remain committed to Net Zero 2030.

Following a vote the recommendations set out in the report were CARRIED.