Agenda item

Resolved: that the Committee would refer its views to Mayor and Cabinet as follows –

The Committee recommends that the Council puts on its website a climate emergency page, which contains a guide for residents on how to live more sustainably. This would be the most direct practical and visible way of engaging with residents and businesses, therefore leading by example.

4.1 Martin O’Brien (Climate Resilience Manager) introduced the report. The following key points were noted:

·         The declaration is a community response to the international climate emergency.

·         The declaration is not accompanied by an increase in funding from Government.

·         The target for the borough to be carbon neutral by 2030 is extremely challenging.

·         Lewisham’s climate emergency action plan was published just prior to the outbreak of the global pandemic.

·         There had been progress with the action plan – but it would need to be streamlined and adapted to meet ongoing challenges.

·         The most severe impacts of the climate emergency would be felt by the most vulnerable communities.

·         Social justice should be at the centre of the fundamental changes required to meet the challenge of the climate emergency.

4.2 Martin O’Brien responded to questions from the Committee – the following key points were noted:

·         Upgrading the efficiency of buildings was one of the key ways in which the borough could reduce emissions.

·         Officers are looking for opportunities to bring in funding to support the roll out of solar panels and other renewable energy technologies – but the principal focus was on increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy demand.

·         Work was progressing with the development of the heat network from the South London Combined Heat and Power facility (SELCHP) and the new development at Convoys Wharf[1].

·         Information was expected imminently about the green homes grant local authority delivery scheme joint bid for funding with Lewisham Homes.

·         Work had been carried out using the Council tax reduction mailing list to target households that might be in fuel poverty – but partnerships with community organisations remained the best way of carrying out this work.

·         Work on cycle way four and the electric vehicle charging network had been disrupted by COVID-19.

4.3 Councillor Sophie McGeevor (Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport) responded to questions from the Committee – the following key points were noted:

·         The Council only removes trees that are dangerous – or that pose a risk of litigation.

·         The role of trees in urban settings is principally one of climate change mitigation (through shading, cooling and managing flood risk) – rather than carbon absorption. The best way to reduce carbon emissions was not to produce them in the first place.

·         Work on cycle way four had recommenced following the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic.

4.4 In the Committee’s discussion – the following key points were also noted:

·         Members welcomed the work carried out by officers.

·         The Committee would welcome additional information on the Council’s website about the climate emergency – and the actions that residents could take to live more sustainably.

·         The importance of trees in climate change mitigation.

·         Councillor Krupski proposed that - in recognition of the seriousness of the climate emergency - the budget for the Council’s climate emergency work be ring-fenced from cuts - and – as additional savings were made from the delivery of the action plan - that consideration be given to adding additional officers to the team. The Chair called for a vote on the proposal and it was not supported by the Committee.

4.5 Resolved: that the Committee would refer its views to Mayor and Cabinet as follows –

·         The Committee recommends that the Council puts on its website a climate emergency page, which contains a guide for residents on how to live more sustainably. This would be the most direct practical and visible way of engaging with residents and businesses, therefore leading by example.