Decision details

The Council adopted a corporate Climate Emergency Plan in February 2023. The Plan includes a commitment to develop a framework that will guide the Council’s investment in carbon offsetting. The purpose of this report is to recommend the adoption of a carbon offset framework and steps to start to implement the framework.

47.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and the Chief Operating Officer.

DECISIONS

47.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Approve the Carbon Offset Framework set out in Appendix 1 of the report and agree that it shall be adopted by the Council;

2) Agree the first stages of implementation, as set out in paragraph 2.11 of the report; and

3) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to take all subsequent actions necessary to implement the Carbon Offset Framework.

REASONS

47.3     Carbon offsetting has an essential part to play in the journey to net zero.

47.4     The Framework set out in Appendix 1 of the report seeks to ensure that the Council, if and when it procures offsets, does so in a way that does not undermine its investment in carbon reduction measures, that meets existing recognised standards for high quality offsets and delivers local co-benefits.