Agenda item

Keith Townsend, Corporate Director Environment and Seth Brook, Strategic Communication Lead gave a presentation to the Committee, A copy of which is interleaved.

During consideration of the presentation the following main points were made-

·         Meeting was reminded that although 4% of the borough’s carbon emissions are generated by the Council, 9% by Council boilers and housing stock, and 91% are generated by other activities, residents, businesses and borough partner organisations must all play their part in changing behaviours. It was noted that the Council must continue its efforts to reduce its own emissions and lead by example, hence the need for a long term engagement programme to change behaviours by all stakeholders.

·         The Officer advised that the purpose of the workstream is to raise awareness, provide stakeholders with opportunities to shape interventions for behaviour change, co-design Council’s approach to community owned/led action, work with partners to create best practice and lead by example, work regionally to influence Government policy and regulations

·         In the next 12 months, the workstream will have in place engagement strategies to change behaviours, implement the communications plan to promote projects and policies that will contribute to net zero carbon. It will also deliver key note projects by developing and agreeing a collaborative plan with Fairer Together Partnership and Islington Sustainable Energy Partnership and influence development of London wide Net Zero Carbon ( NZC) propositions by working regionally with partners

·         Meeting was informed of some progress to date of its engagement and Behaviour change, by hosting an annual E&R scrutiny meeting with stakeholders, commissioned a specialist agency to develop the external engagement strategy and narrative and have started its engagement project with staff, unions and councillors

·         The Net Zero Carbon communications forward plan sets out opportunities to communicate NZC policies and projects. Numerous opportunities have been identified which will allow the Council to align and harness regional and national communications opportunities e.g. Clean Air Day, London Climate Action week, COP26

·         Members were advised that the communications team will help develop and launch keynote Council projects over the next 12 months to help audiences reduce their carbon emissions, and a new website will be in place to enable residents and stakeholders to make climate declarations and access NZC information and services provided by the Council and its partners. Develop and launch a resident and business audit scheme

• Meeting was advised of the importance of working with partners such as Health via the Fairness Together partnership, and Transport

·         Members were also informed of emerging areas for collaboration with Islington Sustainable Partnership in areas of Governance, Engagement and Communications and skills and resources

·         In addition meeting was informed that there is room for Sub – regional and regional collaboration, noting the London Climate Change programme, UK Cities Climate Investment Commission Investment Portfolio etc

• In terms of challenges, meeting was advised about the risk of a lack of internal engagement, apathy and unwillingness to change, failure to successfully to consult residents on decisions that affect their lives.

·         Meeting was informed that there will be opportunities to use NZC case studies to show how the Council are making Islington a fairer place for everyone, that the Council will deploy exciting engagement activities and will pioneer behaviour change insights, build trust and goodwill, build a coalition of supportive local advocates, champion the progress of the Council and its partners, use innovative projects and work in the London wide programme to position Islington as an exemplar amongst professional networks

·         A Member suggested that in order for Council to achieve its Net Zero Carbon 2030 target, there is need for a huge drive in order to engage businesses, especially with those based in the south of the borough to reduce emissions. It was stated that a Business Net Carbon Zero summit would be beneficial and that such a summit should attract businesses and residents who did not normally get engaged in Net Zero Carbon discussions, as well as those that do, the recognition of the need to broaden the audience

·         There is an acknowledgement that regional working is paramount especially as it would have more impact, that there is a need for both systemic and behavioural change in order to meet Net Zero Carbon 2030 targets, and to communicate the scale of change that is needed

• Achieving the aims of Net Zero Carbon huge investment is required across London in conjunction with an effective communications strategy. It was also suggested that at local level a municipal investment bond strategy will be formulated to encourage and enable residents to invest in carbon reduction measures

·         In terms of communication, it is important to recognise that an effective strategy should take cognisance of multi-lingual language so as to ensure that any communication is targeted to reach all sections of the community

·         Reference was made to Bunhill 2, that there were more sites in the borough where similar developments could take place. It was stated that consideration was being given to localised heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points and other energy streams, and work was taking place with the private sector on such initiatives

The Chair thanked  Keith Townsend and Seth Brook  for attending