Decision details

The Chief Executive submitted a report to inform Committee that the four year One Carbon World UN Climate Neutral Now programme and grant funding for the Carbon Neutral Gold Standard scheme had ended, and to request the renewal of the OCW agreement for a further year to cover reporting period 2023/2024 at a cost of £1,500.

OCW was a not for profit organisation and global resource partner helping to support the delivery of the UN Climate Neutral Now Initiative providing advice and support to help organisations reduce their carbon footprint. The report explained that in 2023 the Council had officially achieved the OCW Carbon Neutral International Standard for the third year in a row.

The report set out the OCW grant proposal for 2023/24, which would result in the Council receiving a carbon footprint emissions summary for 2023/24 along with recommendations on how to reduce and off-set the Council’s carbon footprint. The OCW carbon grant contributed 70% towards the total cost of £5000, therefore the remaining cost of £1,500 would fall on the Council.

It was suggested that for future years Officers would research other options to provide assurance to the Council.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Agree to renew the One Carbon World proposed agreement at a cost of £1,500 for a further year to cover the period 2023/2024.

2.    Approve that officers research and provide other options for future years, including details of organisations that calculate emissions, to provide assurance to the Council that our Carbon Neutral claim is robust and credible.

Councillor M Graveston left the meeting in respect of the next agenda item.