Freedom of information response

1. Whether the Council has, in fact, declared a climate emergency or if not, whether it plans to do so soon.

The council declared a climate emergency at the Meeting of Council on 23rd October 2019

2. The present status of your climate action plan and the latest details of any strategies that are in place.

The council Climate Change Strategy and Net Zero – Own Estate strategy are both in final stages of consultation. In addition a Green Growth Action Plan is currently being compiled.

3. The achievements to date by the Council reducing its own emissions.

From the baseline year 2013/14 to 2019/20 the council has reduced its own energy consumption by 16%.

4. The percentage reduction of carbon reduction has been achieved by the Council to date and would be grateful to be provided with the extent of the Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions that are being set as your targets.

From the baseline year 2013/14 to 2019/20 the council has reduced its own CO2 emissions by 49.7% to 5491 tonnes CO2e. Future reduction pathways and targets will be defined as part of the implementation of the Net Zero – Own Estate strategy.

5. Any interim targets that have been set to meet the 2030 ‘carbon neutral’ goal.

Net Zero targets have not yet been finalised.

6. The practical steps the Council may be taking to achieve the goals and targets.

At the Meeting of Council on 23rd October 2019 a motion was carried for Thurrock Council to reduce its net CO2 emission to zero by 2030. A programme of work is currently underway to evaluate that target and to establish the activity required to meet it. All council operations form part of this evaluation.

7. Finally, please provide us with information that you may feel is appropriate for us to better understand how the Council is reducing its GHG emissions and meeting its 2030 targets.

The key strategies in this area have been recently updated and are scheduled to be published shortly. As strategies and targets develop updated information will be published on the council website.

You are free to use any information supplied to you for your own use, including non-commercial research purposes. However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner.

Where the copyright is owned by Thurrock Council, you must apply to the Council to re-use the information. Please email information.matters@thurrock.gov.uk if you wish to re-use the information you have been supplied. For information where the copyright is owned by another person or organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the council have managed your FOI request you can pursue an Internal Review by contacting us using the above email address. An internal review must be submitted within 40 working days of your original reply. Your request will be considered by a senior member of the Information Management Team who will update you with the outcome of the review.

If you remain unhappy following the outcome of your Internal Review you may wish to refer your case to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and details of this organisation can be found at www.ico.org.uk . Please be advised that the ICO will not consider your case until they have confirmation that you have already been through the Internal Review stage with the council.