The Climate Emergency Manager presented the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services. Members were informed that Wirral Council declared an Environment and Climate Emergency at an extraordinary meeting of full Council on 15 July 2019 and through this committed to action the ecological and climate crisis we face.

The Council developed an Environment and Climate Emergency Action Plan (ECEAP) in response to the declaration. This report provides the second update on the Council’s response to the declared environment and climate emergency and progress on the Environment and Climate Emergency Action Plan, covering the 2022/23 financial year. The Environment & Climate Emergency Action Plan supports the delivery of the Environment and Climate Emergency Policy and the Wirral Plan 2021-2026 ‘Sustainable Environment’ theme; ‘Working towards a clean-energy, sustainable borough that leads the way in its response to the climate emergency and is environmentally friendly’ and the Active and Healthy Lives theme: ‘Working to provide happy, active and healthy lives for all’.

Members queried a wide range of topics from tree, electric charging points and planting architecture in parks, to new Council Premises. Also discussed was how the vulnerable could be protected against the implications of climate change.

Members also discussed the Carbon Literacy training provided to Members and Officers and discussed this being available to all report writers. It was requested that a copy of the report be circulated to all Members.

Resolved – that,

1. the progress of the Environment & Climate Emergency actions undertaken in 2022/23 be noted; and

2. the priority actions for 2023/24 be endorsed.