The report of the City Solicitor that was to follow is now enclosed.

On 10 July 2019 the Council, having debated a motion and an amendment put forward by Councillors (Minute CC/19/52), had resolved

“This Council notes:

•           The serious risks to Manchester’s people, of climate change/global heating affecting economic, social and environmental well-being, supply chains – including food security, financial systems and local weather, among many others;

•           That in 2008 the ‘Principles of Tackling Climate Change in Manchester’ were agreed as a call to action to engage people from all walks of life in climate change action and, build support for a new way of thinking about climate change;

•           That Manchester leads the way, with an agreed Paris compliant carbon budget set in December 2018 and an acceleration of the target for becoming a zero-carbon city by 12 years, setting 2038 as the new target for the city, based on research from the word-renowned Tyndall Centre for Climate Change;

•           The recent and welcome upsurge of action by the young people of Manchester, exemplifying the radical traditions of which Manchester is proud.

This Council agrees (or to the extent that the below concern executive functions, recommends to the Executive) to:

•           Declare a Climate Emergency;

•           Continue working with partners across Manchester and GMCA to deliver the 2038 target, and determine if an earlier target can be possible, through a transparent and open review. Become carbon neutral by the earliest possible date;

•           Encourage involvement in all wards by April 2020 through meetings as part of the Our Manchester strategy, to identify residents and partners who want to be actively involved in achieving the target, with provision for those who cannot attend. Ensure ward plans contain specific, measurable, achievable steps;

•           Review all policies, processes and procedures to ensure the council can become carbon neutral. Present an action plan by March 2020 detailing how the city can stay within its carbon budget. Report back regularly to the NESC. Review the corporate plan;

•           Work with the Tyndall Centre to review the actual emissions from aviation. Investigate the best way to include aviation in our overall carbon reduction programme in the long term;

•           Make climate breakdown and the environment, an integral part of activity throughout the Council, including all decision making, ensuring key decisions take into account the impact on achieving the zero-carbon target and including an environmental impact assessment in all relevant committee reports;

•           Ensure that everyone in the council receives carbon literacy training by the end of 2020. Make attendance easier by varying times and length of sessions;

•           Encourage all staff on council business to use the lowest carbon, appropriate, travel;

•           Investigate measures to ensure future procurement is carbon neutral. Increase the percentage of social value with an additional environmental element;

•           Work with suppliers to green their supply chains, and support local production;

•           Work with training providers to ensure Manchester residents can take on green jobs;

•           Investigate and introduce measures to help reach domestic zero carbon levels including addressing fuel poverty and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59