Report of the Interim Director and the Interim Policy and Strategy Advisor, Manchester Climate Change Agency

This report provides a progress update to the Committee on the Climate Change Agency’s achievements to date during the year and reviews work in progress.

The Committee considered a joint report and presentation of the Interim Director and the Interim Policy and Strategy Advisor, Manchester Climate Change Agency that provided a progress update to the Committee on the Climate Change Agency’s achievements to date during the year and reviewed work in progress.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·                Providing reasons for delaying publication of the Manchester Climate Change Partnership’s Annual Report until September;

·                Describing the context of the Manchester Climate Change Framework 2020-25 and it’s four headline objectives and the six priority areas for action;

·                A narrative that described Partnership and Agency Progress 2021/22;

·                Citywide Progress 2020/21, including aviation;

·                Describing the rationale for developing Version 2.0 of the Framework for 2020-25, noting that Manchester was one of the first cities to adopt science-based carbon budgeting; and

·                An update on National Policy and Local & National Government Joint-working.

The Committee also received a presentation from Simon Curtis, Chair, Manchester Arts and Sustainability Team that discussed the relationship between the arts and culture and climate change and how culture could engage with citizens on this issue to influence change.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·                Action needed to be taken to reduce the demand on aviation, adding that technology alone was not the solution to reducing emissions from the aviation industry;

·                The need for the Council to take the moral lead on the issue so as to inspire and influence change;

·                Noting the importance and impact of Carbon Literacy Training, and that this should be delivered to all residents;

·                Everyone needed to take responsibility for their own emissions, in particular in regard to the issue of consumption, especially in relation to clothing;

·                A list of all organisations in Manchester of those that had signed up to the MCCA and a list of all those that had not, and where available the reasons for not signing up to be provided;

·                Consideration needed to be given as to how targets and outcomes were reported, adding that this should be similar to the format of the Manchester Climate Change Action Plan;

·                A report was required that evaluated whether the City Council was achieving value for money for its investment into the MCCA;

·                Recognising the need to increase capacity within MCCA to influence and deliver this programme;

·                The impact of poverty and emissions, noting that economically disadvantaged residents often did not own a vehicle or take flights; and

·                Did the MCCA lobby the Government for funding to deliver schemes such as solar panels for schools and hospitals.

The Interim Director MCCA stated that it was important to recognise that the MCCA was not responsible for the targets but rather a body to coordinate all action plans of partners across the city. He reiterated the point that it was the responsibility of every organisation and individual to consider and take action to address their carbon emissions.

The Interim Director MCCA advised that MCCA did work with other cities to consider challenges at scale, such as the issue of aviation emissions as this provided an opportunity to share knowledge and best practice. He further acknowledged the comment regarding consumption and stated that it was an opportunity for organisations to challenge themselves through their own procurement process and supply chains. With reference to the list of organisations requested he stated that this could be provided following the meeting.

The Interim Director MCCA further advised that they did work with other Core Cities to lobby the Government for additional resources to fund initiatives and projects to reduce carbon emissions.

The Chair commented that she noted the Members comments regarding the format of the reports submitted by MCCA to the Committee, including the delivery of presentations at meetings. She said she would liaise with the Executive Member to discuss this further.

The Executive Member for Environment stated she acknowledged the comments regarding Carbon Literacy Training and said that there were good examples of how this could be delivered locally, and she would share good practice with Members for them to consider how this could be applied to their respective wards.

Decision

To note the report.