Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      In 2009 The European Unit recognised the need to develop a series of seminars reflecting key issues affecting European cities. Climate change was deemed to be one of the most important issues both in terms of the environment and economics affecting cities across Europe.  

      From an EU Member State perspective, the 2006 Stern Review concluded that the scientific evidence for climate change is now overwhelming and climate change should be regarded as a serious global threat demanding urgent global action. Lord Stern’s views have been echoed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) whose Fourth Assessment Report concluded that global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have increased markedly as a result of human activities and now far exceed pre-industrial values.

      Recognising the Stern Review’s call for prompt action, Belfast City Council’s 2008-2011 Corporate Plan has identified reducing the City’s impact on climate change as a key priority within the strategic theme of ‘Better care for Belfast’s environment - a clean, green city now and for the future’. Moreover, the Council has as a key performance indicator the tonnage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted from its premises.

      In terms of indicative actions supporting this key priority, the Council committed to the adoption of a European Declaration on Climate Change for the City and to the subsequent development of a prioritised action plan to address the causes and consequences of climate change within Belfast in collaboration with outside bodies and local communities.

      The Council formally subscribed to the Eurocities’ Declaration on Climate Change at the Eurocities’ Annual General Meeting in Stockholm on 28 November. 2009.

      On 22 January 2010, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee endorsed a proposal to establish an inter-agency group working group on climate change for the City. This group will seek to address key climate change issues currently affecting Belfast, via the development of a Climate Change Action Plan.

      The Council’s anticipated role in the development of a Climate Change Action Plan will be to act initially as a convening body and to then function as a co-ordinating and managing organisation for implementation and monitoring. Accordingly, it is considered that a climate change educational event could serve as a suitable formal launch for the working group and help to prioritise its work programme.

Key Issues

      It is proposed that the Council agree to host a Climate Change Conference in Belfast. The conference would address political objectives agreed by the Council around the climate change agenda and inform on the key objectives of the Eurocities Declaration on Climate Change.   It is proposed that the conference take place in Autumn 2010, probably September. The programme is yet to be finalised due to the necessity to involve the inter-agency working group on Climate Change. There will, however, be a European element to the programme as well as central and local government.

      It is anticipated that approximately 100 delegates will attend the conference.

Resource Implications

      Finance:

      The conference will cost approximately £10,000.  This is included in the European Unit's 2009-2010 budget.

      Human Resources:

      The European Officer for Health and Environmental Services – Sarah Jayne Smith and the Sustainable Development Manager – Alastair Curran, will organise the conference.

Recommendations

      It is recommended that Members agree to host the City Conference on Climate Change at a cost of approximately £10,000.

Decision Tracking

      Following approval and subsequent ratification, planning for the proposed conference will proceed.

      Timeline:  April 2010               Reporting Officer:  Laura Leonard”

            The Committee agreed to host the Climate Change Conference at a cost of approximately £10,000.