Agenda item

To present the current Climate Change Risk Register

The Head of Environment, Roger Hoare, submitted a report which presented the current Climate Change Risk Register to the Committee, as part of a regular review of directorate risk registers. The Committee was requested to note the register and provide any comments thereon. 

The following comments were made:

•       In respect to the risk regarding a possible decline in national and political support for measures it was noted that the regional policy was dependent on national policy approaches and investment and the regional approach may be undermined if government direction went in a different way;

•       There was also a risk of not being ambitious enough with policies and projects.  The Head of Environment stated that the Authority had huge ambition and therefore the targets would be very hard to achieve.  The Risk Register would undergo its six-monthly review in October 2023 and individual project contributions could be assessed;

•       Some of the scoring was questioned, such as “lack of public support for decarbonisation” where mitigation brought the score from 25 down to 12.  The Director stated that there was potential to change the scoring matrix and more detail may be needed to fully define the scoring;

•       There is increasing amounts of work underway with the National Grid relating to both transmission and distribution, which links to a number of the risks identified in the register. One comment referenced the impact of increasing demands on the grid, such as supplying motorway service stations with additional capacity for charging electric vehicles etc;

•       It was confirmed that the Combined Authority was not currently exploring micro-nuclear capacity;

•       The need for engagement initiatives was highlighted and the Environment Head mentioned work with the regions Nature and Climate Action Panel. Specifically the importance of having a consistent dialogue with the public and engagement groups.  A number of engagement events are proposed for Autumn 2023;

•       It was requested whether an additional column could be added which dated actions and mitigations.  In respect to growth and climate it was noted that both could be achieved as sustainability was the key;

•       In terms of citizen support for difficult choices it was noted that decarbonisation of transport was included as a specific line due to the scale of the challenge;

•       It was reported that IT may contribute around 7% of carbon emissions and that the Authority’s website was a contributor.  The Head of Environment stated that it was important that the Authority was a leader in this area and would investigate further the issues around the website;

•       Part of the challenge was around the Authority’s sphere of influence and how the Authority could influence others in a wider sphere to act.  There could also be more of a link between mitigations and individual projects. It was noted that even things outside of the Authority’s control could be potential risks;

•        In terms of infrastructure delivery, the approach to carbon accounting varied but resources were being brought in to help deliver a more comprehensive and consistent approach;

•      The Committee asked to see a revised register when the revisions had been completed.  A date for a briefing session in early 2024 would be circulated to members of the Committee in due course;

•       It was reported that the Authority had an overall risk register which departmental risk registers fed into.  The Committee received these departmental risk registers on a rolling basis. All the risk registers were fluid documents which were constantly reviewed.  The Interim Chief Executive stated that he welcomed the robust challenge on the Risk Registers as the Authority needed to be risk aware for the benefit right across the region. This was an active part of the leadership team’s role in the organisation.

Agreed:

That the Climate Change Risk Register and the comments made thereon be noted.