Background:
The purpose of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy is to identify an evidence-based pathway to deliver clean growth and specifically strategies and actions to eliminate poor air quality, reduce fuel poverty and deliver an affordable, clean and secure energy supply for Kent and Medway. The Strategy includes the commitment to meet the UK Government’s target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 for the county.
Options:
1. Do nothing and continue action under Kent Environment Strategy (KES) - the last iteration of the KES in 2006 identified the need to conduct more in-depth research to inform and develop a Low Emissions Strategy. This to address emissions in addition to carbon dioxide, which cause poor air quality and harms health, which was of growing political and public concern.
2. Develop a separate Energy Strategy and a Low Emissions Strategy – this was the initial plan until it was realised that many of the key actions to deliver both strategies were the same.
3. Develop a combined Energy & Low Emissions Strategy – this option demonstrates the interlinking nature of actions required to address climate change emissions, air pollution, energy security and the opportunities for greater partnership activity.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 30/06/2020
Decision due: Not before 29th Jul 2020 by Cabinet Member for Environment
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Environment
Lead director: Stephanie Holt-Castle
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Carolyn McKenzie, Sustainability and Climate Change Manager 03000 413419 Email: carolyn.mckenzie@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 221916.
Consultees
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed at the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 17 July 2020.
Financial implications: this decision relates to the Strategy itself and the supporting high-level action plan and not individual costed actions. As projects that KCC is involved in are developed, the supporting evidence and any cost implications will be identified, and the business case developed through the appropriate governance processes. Existing resources within the Sustainable Business and Communities service within Environment, Planning and Enforcement in GET Directorate will co-ordinate partnership delivery. This will include identifying sources of additional funding required to deliver KCC specific or partnership actions.
Legal implications: The Strategy reflects the 2019 revision of the Climate Change Act 2008, which introduced into law the UK target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The Strategy also directly supports Government expectations set out in new Strategies and Plans published during 2018-2019, which require local authorities to take the lead in delivering clean growth and clean air through the transition to cleaner energy and fuels.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications - An EQIA has been completed and was updated following the feedback from the public consultation held in Summer 2019. There are no significant negative impacts. As this Strategy is aimed at improving health outcomes, there are likely to be more positive equality impacts than negative, particularly for Age, Maternity, Carers and Disability. Data Protection implications - A Data Protection Impact Assessment is not needed as this Strategy does not require the processing of personal data.