“Recent research
from the Local Government Association revealed that two thirds of
councils in England are not confident of achieving their Net Zero
Carbon targets within their target timescales whilst the Welsh
Local Government Association is working on a climate change
transition and support programme to seek to help the public sector
meet the Welsh Government’s 2050 Net Zero Carbon
target.
Given this information, as well as acknowledging
the overall severe financial pressures faced by Local
Authorities, reaching Net Zero targets has become even more
challenging than ever.
Where does this Council currently stand in
relation to its current objectives and the ultimate goal of
achieving the more ambitious 2030 Net Zero Carbon
target?”
Minutes:
“Recent research from the Local Government Association revealed that two thirds of councils in England are not confident of achieving their Net Zero Carbon targets within their target timescales whilst the Welsh Local Government Association is working on a climate change transition and support programme to seek to help the public sector meet the Welsh Government’s 2050 Net Zero Carbon target.
Given this information, as well as acknowledging the overall severe financial pressures faced by Local Authorities, reaching Net Zero targets has become even more challenging than ever.
Where does this Council currently stand in relation to its current objectives and the ultimate goal of achieving the more ambitious 2030 Net Zero Carbon target?”
Response by Councillor Aled Vaughan Owen – Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability
I thank Councillor James for raising this question today. As a Local Authority, we made a promise to our residents and to future generations - a declaration of a climate emergency and a commitment to become net zero by 2030.
We understand how urgent this is, we recognise the important role that we have as a Local Authority have to play as we mitigate against the impacts of climate change and preserving biodiversity and we recognise the challenges ahead us. The financial pressures of achieving such an ambitious goal particularly when we are working with the Conservative Government in London that were defeated in court last week - for the second time - for not doing enough to meet its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
As a reminder, we agreed in our plan in 2020 to focus on 4 key areas – our non-domestic buildings, our street lighting, our fleet mileage and our business mileage. I can confirm that we are currently at around 36% less carbon emissions since our pre Covid base line year. I am sure you would agree that this is a substantial reduction. But we are not slowing down, I am proud of the tremendous work that has been done by dedicated officers to focus on our fleet which contributes about 19% of our emissions. In the last few months alone supported by our Climate and Nature Advisory Panel, made up of members from across this chamber, we have increased our electric vehicle fleet by 40 vehicles and set into policy the presumption for electric vehicles in all future purchases.
But we are mindful that we as a Local Authority do not have all the levers needed to become net zero unless governments at all levels decide to close that gap between rhetoric and reality and set us on a course towards a just transition to a more sustainable future with appropriate funding mechanisms.
But we won’t sit back, and only focus on that scope of what we originally perceived as Net Zero, we are now transferring our learning to other areas within the Council and mainstreaming climate and nature into all decisions we take. You only need to look at our corporate plan, our transformation strategy or even our procurement strategy, all have climate and nature embedded in the ways of working. No longer are they nice to haves or fringe benefits, they are the way we do business.
Consider our new homes, built to the highest possible environmental standards, learning from the designs of passive hause level schools that we have built, retro fitting our aging stock to provide the best possible housing standard for tenants - reducing bills and looking after the planet.
We are now finalising training modules on carbon literacy to all Carmarthenshire County Council employees. Imagine over 8000 staff in one organisation fully trained, understanding the challenges ahead and being able to contribute to the urgent action needed around climate and nature emergencies.
Yes, there are challenges ahead but unlike what some people would advocate - it’s not a reason to give up rather to get up and do the right thing.
Supplementary Question by Councillor John James
What is our on-going and long-term strategy for engaging and involving the residents of Carmarthenshire in realising this Councils commitment towards a low carbon future?
Response by Councillor Aled Vaughan Owen – Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability
Thank you Councillor James. Collaboration is key, so by working together across sectors, industries and communities we can achieve significant progress. By action on the greatest challenges facing humanity. And I am pleased to say that on a national level we are working alongside partners such as the WLGA and Welsh Government to support the National Climate Action Wales Programme to engage with the public. .
Shortly, we will publish our Local Area Energy Plan for Carmarthenshire which has been co-developed with the public and private sector, regulators, and community to set us on a trajectory to decarbonise the whole County’s energy system over the next decade. This will be a further springboard on which to involve our communities.
However, over the last year we have funded about £7.5 million in community projects based on climate, nature and circular economy. Imagine the impact this will have on the villages and towns of Carmarthenshire.
Our regeneration team have supported over 24 businesses installing renewable energy technologies and saving hundreds of tonnes of carbon each year with more and more businesses submitting expressions of interest every week.
But as a Council, our most powerful assets we have is us, the elected members. Imagine the ability to inspire our communities to address the climate and nature emergency through policy making and leading by example. However less than half of us have taken up the opportunity to improve our carbon literacy through the training on offer. If any other member in this chamber wishes to do the course, please contact me after the meeting so we can arrange.
And as we continue on this journey, let us keep in mind the legacy we are building for future generations. Our actions today will shape the world they inherit tomorrow. Let us be remembered not for the challenges we faced, but for the boldness of our ambition and the determination in which we pursued it.