Senior councillors back measures to lower authority's carbon emissions

An updated action plan for Tendring District Council (TDC) to address the causes of climate change and promote nature has been backed by senior councillors.

Members of TDC's Cabinet supported the authority's Climate Change Action Plan for 2024 to 2027 at its meeting today (Friday, 15 November), and the document will now go to Full Council for approval.

The Cabinet recommended that Full Council align the target date for reaching net zero carbon emissions with the Government's deadline, currently 2050. Travelling at the same pace as Government will mean the council can benefit from the investment, policy and regulation that the Government will need to bring forward to meet its target.

The 2024 to 2027 Action Plan sets out a renewed, realistic roadmap for how the council will use its combined influence, powers, and resources to achieve Net Zero.

Councillor Adrian Smith, TDC Cabinet Member for Environment, said, "As a coastal district we recognise the impacts of climate change, and we are taking action to reduce the carbon emissions that cause it.

"Our new action plan addresses what we as a council need to do to reduce not just our own emissions, but also how we can promote nature within the district through community leadership.

"Championing our environment is part of Our Vision for TDC and by tackling climate change we aim to build a greener, healthier district that we can be proud of that provides better outcomes for everyone."

Since declaring a Climate Emergency in August 2019, TDC has made significant strides to reduce its carbon emissions by over a fifth since 2018/19.

Consultants carried out a high-level review of the likely costs for the council to reach Net Zero. Based on this evidence the cost is £18 million in today's money.

The council's declaration in 2019 recognised external investment and funding as essential for the council's transition to Net Zero. The evidence shows the importance for central government to provide additional funding to enable local authorities to make the progress necessary to decarbonise.

Actions within the new plan include increasing the number of electric vehicles in TDC's fleet, improving the efficiency of council heating systems, planting trees, and encouraging staff to work from home more.