The way that Calderdale communities can work together to influence climate action is the subject of a unique and innovative new strategy, being discussed by the Council’s Cabinet.
Calderdale Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and taking climate action is one of the Council’s priorities. In 2023, the Calderdale Climate Action plan was published, outlining the steps required to meet the borough’s ambitious targets to be net zero by 2038, with significant progress by 2030.
One of the actions in the Calderdale Climate Action Plan is to develop an influencing strategy. This action recognises that although ambitious local action is already underway, changes need to happen locally, regionally and nationally.
The Calderdale Climate Action Partnership’s Influencing Strategy has now been developed using detailed research and discussions with cross-party councillors; partners including Together Housing and the NHS; local businesses; activist groups such as Calderdale Green New Deal; and many other key climate partners.
Developing the influencing strategy has been a process of considering the goals of the Climate Action Plan, identifying barriers and working out how to overcome them.
This work has been supported by UK100, a membership network of highly ambitious local leaders committed to achieving cleaner, more powerful, communities. UK100 has recognised the strategy as nationally unique and plan to support other local authorities to learn from the approach.
This strategy sets out the best ways to influence change and focuses on three priority areas:
- Retrofit – influencing change aimed at improving the energy efficiency of homes across the borough.
- Transport – an ambition to have a transport system with choice that works for all, from the young to the elderly.
- Resources– recognising funding limitations and identifying the roles and responsibilities within the public and private sector to best influence change.
It also allows flexibility to support future areas of development, recognising the role of influencing can change and must respond to external events and opportunities.
At the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 7 October, members will be asked to endorse the Climate Influencing Strategy, signalling its important role as a local influencer and allowing work to progress on its actions for the Council.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“Climate action is at the heart of our decision making and is clearly linked with our other priorities of reducing inequalities and supporting thriving places.
“Ambitious local action is already underway, and we’ve seen how community-driven climate initiatives have made a significant impact in the borough, complementing Council-led work to deliver real change.
“Achieving the key objectives of the Climate Action Plan is a joint responsibility and we recognise that some of the plan’s key actions are outside of our direct control.
“We know that our voices and actions are always strongest together and I’m very proud that we’re making this collaborative action official, as the first local authority to develop a Climate Influencing Strategy.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet meeting will be held on Monday 7 October 2024 at Halifax Town Hall from 4pm. The meeting can also be viewed online at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)