Last month, world-leading scientists gave their starkest warning yet about the impacts of climate change if we do not make urgent and unprecedented changes to reduce GHG emissions. We are already feeling the effects in the UK of increased intensity and frequency of storms, flooding and heatwaves. We are also experiencing growing problems with water scarcity and air pollution. This motion proposes that South Cambs shows responsible climate leadership by supporting the transition to "Zero Carbon by 2050" in the next Local Plan. This would enable planners, developers, businesses and residents to maximize the opportunities of green technology whilst decoupling emissions from our rapid growth agenda. As a local authority, we have the power to influence this transformation. Planning has an important role to play in supporting the transition to zero carbon, not just in terms of building-related energy but also transport-related emissions and the infrastructure required to support growth. This also includes some of the "softer issues" such as the role of green infrastructure and urban design approaches that can enable people to live lower carbon lifestyles. A zero carbon approach is also the most effective way to drive down fuel poverty and ensure warm homes for the most vulnerable in our society, whilst providing clean air for all.
Decision:
Council AGREED the following motion:
Last month, world-leading scientists gave their starkest warning yet about the impacts of climate change if we do not make urgent and unprecedented changes to reduce GHG emissions. We are already feeling the effects in the UK of increased intensity and frequency of storms, flooding and heatwaves. We are also experiencing growing problems with water scarcity and air pollution. This motion proposes that South Cambs shows responsible climate leadership by supporting the transition to "Zero Carbon by 2050" in the next Local Plan. This would enable planners, developers, businesses and residents to maximize the opportunities of green technology whilst decoupling emissions from our rapid growth agenda. As a local authority, we have the power to influence this transformation. Planning has an important role to play in supporting the transition to zero carbon, not just in terms of building-related energy but also transport-related emissions and the infrastructure required to support growth. This also includes some of the "softer issues" such as the role of green infrastructure and urban design approaches that can enable people to live lower carbon lifestyles. A zero carbon approach is also the most effective way to drive down fuel poverty and ensure warm homes for the most vulnerable in our society, whilst providing clean air for all.
Minutes:
Councillor Pippa Heylings moved the following motion as set out on the agenda:-
“Last month, world-leading scientists gave their starkest warning yet about the impacts of climate change if we do not make urgent and unprecedented changes to reduce GHG emissions. We are already feeling the effects in the UK of increased intensity and frequency of storms, flooding and heatwaves. We are also experiencing growing problems with water scarcity and air pollution. This motion proposes that South Cambs shows responsible climate leadership by supporting the transition to "Zero Carbon by 2050" in the next Local Plan. This would enable planners, developers, businesses and residents to maximize the opportunities of green technology whilst decoupling emissions from our rapid growth agenda. As a local authority, we have the power to influence this transformation. Planning has an important role to play in supporting the transition to zero carbon, not just in terms of building-related energy but also transport-related emissions and the infrastructure required to support growth. This also includes some of the "softer issues" such as the role of green infrastructure and urban design approaches that can enable people to live lower carbon lifestyles. A zero carbon approach is also the most effective way to drive down fuel poverty and ensure warm homes for the most vulnerable in our society, whilst providing clean air for all.”
In moving the motion, Councillor Pippa Heylings highlighted the climate and health emergency that the world was facing, noting that in the previous month leading climate scientists had issued their starkest warning yet about the lack of action to stem global warming. Even though all world leaders had agreed in 2015 to keep global temperatures to 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to seek to limit temperature increases further to 1.5°C, an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report had indicated that the world had already warmed by 1°C. A recently issued Met Office report had also warned of possible future climate scenarios in the UK including more extreme weather events, increasing summer temperatures and droughts; wet winters and flooding. Councillor Heylings highlighted the potential consequential impacts, including for agriculture, water availability and public health, together with the likely increased demands on services. She noted that the Secretary of State for the Environment had recently asked the National Committee on Climate Change to explore a zero carbon target. Moreover both the Greater London Authority and Cambridge City Council had already adopted a target for transition to zero carbon by 2050, whilst Bristol City and Manchester City Councils had set targets of 2030 and 2038 respectively. In arguing in support of the adoption of the zero carbon target, Councillor Heylings commented on the action which the Council could take in support of the objective, highlighting, in particular, the significant role that planning could play. In the joint local plan with Cambridge City Council the Council could work towards designing homes that were energy efficient, used renewable energies, storage and sharing facilities; ensuring that developments were well served by low carbon transport links and that the natural capital assets in the District were harnessed. Councillor Heylings therefore argued in support of the need for the Council to show ambitious climate leadership by supporting the transition to zero carbon by 2050 in the next Local Plan.
Councillor Peter Topping seconded the motion. He welcomed the proposal, noting the potential for a global crisis arising from climate change within 30 years. He commented on the significant changes in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire over the last 30 years but reflected on the even more significant changes that would be experienced in the next 30 years. Councillor Topping referred to a presentation at a conference he had attended on the Oxford/Cambridge arc which had highlighted the need for development along the arc to be managed in the way which Councillor Heylings had articulated. The National Planning Policy Framework stated very clearly that the planning system should support transition to a low carbon future and had clarified that local authorities could set higher energy efficiency standards for new developments. Councillor Topping observed that the Council had a good record on innovation, citing the installation of solar panels on tenants’ roofs as an example. He argued that it was important for the Council to be clear with developers coming forward that zero carbon was not an aspiration to be nodded to but a requirement that the Council would expect to see integrated into their proposals.
Council by affirmation
RESOLVED:
To agree the following motion:
Last month, world-leading scientists gave their starkest warning yet about the impacts of climate change if we do not make urgent and unprecedented changes to reduce GHG emissions. We are already feeling the effects in the UK of increased intensity and frequency of storms, flooding and heatwaves. We are also experiencing growing problems with water scarcity and air pollution. This motion proposes that South Cambs shows responsible climate leadership by supporting the transition to "Zero Carbon by 2050" in the next Local Plan. This would enable planners, developers, businesses and residents to maximise the opportunities of green technology whilst decoupling emissions from our rapid growth agenda. As a local authority, we have the power to influence this transformation. Planning has an important role to play in supporting the transition to zero carbon, not just in terms of building-related energy but also transport-related emissions and the infrastructure required to support growth. This also includes some of the "softer issues" such as the role of green infrastructure and urban design approaches that can enable people to live lower carbon lifestyles. A zero carbon approach is also the most effective way to drive down fuel poverty and ensure warm homes for the most vulnerable in our society, whilst providing clean air for all.