Minutes:
Mr. Martin provided the Committee with an introduction and outline of the areas for consideration, in regard to climate change, highlighted within the Net-Zero Roadmap. He emphasised the importance of actions necessary if the Council was to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To that end, he reported that the Council had agreed to commission an analysis of net-zero options and stated that the roadmap would set the strategic direction for the Council by assisting with future decision making and the provision of an evidence base to direct policy on decisions around climate change and mitigation measures.
Mr. Sudmant informed the Members that the net-zero roadmap was a bottom up, place-based assessment, specific to Belfast and the surrounding region. He explained that the roadmap was focussed on a technical and economic analysis and had been developed in conjunction with stakeholders.
The Committee was provided with detailed analysis as part of the steps necessary to achieve net-zero. It was reported that the Belfast Region emits 8.9 megatons of CO2 per annum. He confirmed that carbon emissions had reduced by thirty per cent since 1990 and was expected to reduce by fifty per cent between 1990 and 2050. Mr. Sudmant informed the Committee that the technology existed, currently, to mitigate against the majority of the remaining emissions. The Members were informed of the economic and employment benefits associated with a transition to green energy production, including a £1.3 billion energy saving potential by 2050.
Mr. Sudmant highlighted the fact that the Belfast Region (city deal area) had a higher emissions profile than the UK, largely as a result of the impact of agriculture and farming practices. He referred to the opportunity to reduce emissions, emanating from the housing sector, and the financial benefits associated with the introduction of mitigation measures, attached to carbon production, connected to agricultural practices.
The Committee was informed that up to twenty per cent of emissions, attached to the residential sector, could be mitigated and attributed to a financial return. He stated that some measures taken to reduce carbon emissions were not cost-neutral but highlighted the social benefits associated with a reduction in carbon emissions such as, clean air and improved health. Mr. Sudmant emphasised the benefits of mitigation measures which added to public value, despite not being cost effective to implement. He referred to the significant challenges required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions attributed to the agricultural sector, including changes to land-use and modified agricultural practices.
In response to a question from a Member in terms of achieving easy wins and the impact of not having a functioning Assembly, to drive climate change, the Programme Director confirmed the need for substantial investment, both public and private. The Commissioner for Climate and City Resilience highlighted the legal and binding obligation, under the Climate Act, which holds governments accountable to achieve specified statutory emission targets by 2050.
The Committee, in recognition that Local authorities could not achieve their climate ambitions in isolation of other statutory agencies, agreed that a joined-up approach, involving a multitude of organisations and stakeholders, was essential.
The Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the Project Director and Mr. Sudmant for their detailed and informative presentation and the Committeenoted the information provided.