Environmental resilience and climate emergency
Environmental resilience and climate emergencyEnhancing environmental resilience by reducing emissions, supporting biodiversity, and transitioning to a green economy
We are already seeing the impact of climate change locally, responding to and recovering from the devastating effects on our communities from severe weather and unprecedented flooding in recent years. The repercussions of inaction will be significant for our local economy, the health and wellbeing of our communities and for our services. Biodiversity loss is another key area of global concern and we need to work to protect our extensive natural capital and landscape. We know how important our open spaces and green infrastructure are for exercise and wellbeing and we will continue to make sure our neighbourhoods and open spaces are clean, tidy and safe, take enforcement action where necessary, and work to improve and protect those spaces.
As a council we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint as quickly as possible, but we know that we have limited direct control over carbon emissions in our area. This is where we need to work with others to identify opportunities, and to help businesses and residents manage resources better, including waste. We recognise that the impacts of climate change will impact our communities in different ways and want to help the most vulnerable with issues such as fuel poverty and the impacts of extreme weather.
We will work to ensure that:
- we are protecting and restoring local biodiversity, green spaces and are supporting the production and access to sustainable food
- we will reduce the consumption of resources, reducing waste and increasing recycling
- we will proactively engage in making Cumbria carbon neutral by 2037
- we are supporting residents, businesses and others to adapt to the impacts of climate change and transition to an inclusive low carbon economy
- carbon emissions from transport are falling and more journeys are undertaken via sustainable methods
Outcome measures
Successful delivery of the activities set out will help us make progress towards achieving our long-term aims for enhancing environmental resilience and addressing the climate emergency in Cumberland. Alongside these activities we will track a number of outcome measures over the life cycle of the Council Plan to help us assess the impact that our work in partnership with others is having. We want to see:
- a reduction in district wide emissions per person
- a reduction in carbon emissions from transport
|
Key activity |
Target timescales |
Lead roles |
|---|---|---|
|
Develop and begin delivery of a Climate and Nature Strategy and Action Plan |
March 2024 |
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport and Assistant Chief Executive Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places/ Portfolio Holder for Policy and Regulatory Services
|
|
Establish organisation level carbon baseline and carbon management plan to achieve decarbonisation of the council’s estate |
March 2024 |
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport and Director of Resources Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places / Portfolio Holder for Policy and Regulatory Services |
|
Deliver a Fleet Strategy to include plans for decarbonisation across fleet |
March 2024 |
Director of Resources Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places |
|
Deliver new Local Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure to decarbonise transport |
March 2025 |
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport Portfolio Holder Policy and Regulatory Services |
|
Proactively work with developers and key stakeholders in the Council to deliver high quality developments that preserve and enhance the character and diversity of the natural environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change. |
June 2025 |
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport Portfolio Holder Policy and Regulatory Services |
|
Finalise and begin delivery of Local Nature Recovery Strategy |
March 2025 |
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places / Portfolio Holder for Policy and Regulatory Services |
|
Develop a Green Spaces and Infrastructure Plan |
March 2025
|
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places |
|
Review land holdings to explore options to provide land for allotments |
March 2025 |
Director of Resources Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places |
|
Deliver natural environment and climate resilience improvements and projects, including:
|
March 2025 |
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport Portfolio Holders for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, Policy and Regulatory Services, and Vibrant and Healthy Places |
|
Pursue all funding opportunities for active travel, cycling and walking |
March 2025 |
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places |
|
Deliver a programme of deep cleans in our towns |
June 2025 |
Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places |