This report provides an update on action taken on climate change since the declaration of a climate emergency in February 2019, and summarises future plans in this area.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an update on action taken on climate change since the declaration of a climate emergency in February 2019, and summarising plans in this area, with a focus on financial commitments in the context of the draft budget to be submitted to Council on 25 February 2020. Attached to the report at Appendix 1 was a summary of RBC Action Since Declaration of a Climate Emergency – and Future Plans.

The report explained that over the two first full financial years since the declaration of a climate emergency (2019/20 and 2020/21), subject to approval of the budget, the Council would have committed c£34million to capital projects which would contribute directly to reducing emissions, in both its own operations and the wider community. The report summarised additional revenue commitments to develop and accelerate the Council’s response to the declaration.

The report noted that in addition to specific financial commitments, the Council would take action to ensure that all policy and spending decisions across the full range of its activities took account of their impact on emissions wherever possible, and that all staff were engaged in the process of working towards the goal of a net zero carbon Reading by 2030.  A new Climate Action Programme Board had been established in January 2020 to help achieve this and to ensure good governance in this area.

The Committee recommended the report to the full Council meeting on 25 February 2020 to be considered alongside the 2020/21 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Recommended –

          That the progress to date be noted and the plans outlined in Appendix 1 to take forward the Council’s commitment to achieving a net zero carbon Reading by 2030 be endorsed.