A borough-wide Climate Partnership bringing together private and public sector organisations, as well as community groups, will be created to oversee the delivery of the Royal Borough’s Environment and Climate Strategy.
By utilising the knowledge and expertise of organisations across the borough, the partnership will better support delivery of the outcomes set out in the strategy as well as supporting the council to deliver on its own actions and commitments.
The strategy was adopted by the council last December and sets out our vision and actions to achieve the borough's net-zero emissions target by 2050 at the latest. Member organisations would be spread across the strategy’s four strategic themes of energy, circular economy, natural environment, and transport.
Councillor Donna Stimson, cabinet member for climate change, sustainability, parks and countryside, said: “We know there is a lot of support within the Royal Borough for reducing the impact we have on our environment, and the aim of the partnership is to harness that passion. The council’s strategy makes clear that we cannot act in isolation but require the whole borough and central Government to play their part.
“The climate crisis is everyone’s problem, and it is up to each of us to do what we can to make a difference. The Climate Partnership is an exciting step forward that can accelerate our collective impact, and I urge anyone with an interest in climate and the environment to join.”
The partnership will be an independent organisation to research, create and co-ordinate delivery of the strategy.
The network will provide a greater reach into businesses and communities, as well as expertise.
It will also develop and prepare the new strategy and action plan for 2025 onwards. It would be open for any individual, business or organisation to join and contribute to its work.
The council will continue to deliver its own ambitious carbon reduction targets as well as the actions set out in the strategy that relate to its own operations and functions. This includes developing and delivering the strategy to reduce transport emissions and enhancing biodiversity through its parks and open spaces.
It will play a full and active role in the partnership and it is expected that there would be at least one councillor and senior officer on the executive.
The work to set up the partnership will begin immediately, and it is intended to have the group fully in place close to the start of the next financial year.
To register an early interest in becoming a member, please email
sustainability@rbwm.gov.uk
