Climate Change Strategy Consultation

We asked for your views on the draft Climate Change Strategy, which has been drafted following our previous climate change consultation in 2022. We asked residents, businesses and local organisations if they agreed with the Strategy Vision, Key Principles, Key Delivery Themes, Strategy Delivery and the Approach set out in the document and whether they had any additional views to share.  

We did this to help us shape this community-based Climate Change Strategy and ensure it was fit for purpose in our local area.  

An Equalities Impact Assessment was also undertaken as part of the consultation process. 

Each area of the strategy was well supported: 

• Overall, most respondents supported the vision, as it is written or with some changes (81%) 

• Overall, most respondents supported the key principles, as it is written or with some changes (77%).  

• Overall, most respondents supported the Transport and Travel Actions, as it is written or with some changes (75%) 

• Overall, most respondents supported the Housing, Buildings and Built Environment Actions, as it is written or with some changes (81%) 

• Overall, most respondents supported the Natural Environment and Farming Actions, as it is written or with some changes (77%) 

• Overall, most respondents supported the Greener Low Carbon Economy Actions, as it is written or with some changes (77%).  

• Overall, most respondents supported the Waste and use of resources Actions, as it is written or with some changes (88%). 

It was highlighted that the vision statement could be improved by identifying clearer targets and goals, including dates, timescales or high-level milestones (for example, for reaching net zero) to help improve accountability.  

In regard strategy delivery, there was a desire that action is needed on tackling climate change but it was recognised that there would be significant challenges ahead, given resource limitations. It was expressed that by working together and adopting this strategy, a route map to begin tackling climate change in the borough could be developed.  

Concerns were raised about the current walking and cycling infrastructure, public transport links and the access to EV charging points within the borough; and there was support to improve this.   

‘Greening’ the borough as well as Melton town was supported but it was felt that more emphasis could be placed on this as an objective, to recognise the depleted biodiversity across Leicestershire.  

Building relationships with local universities was suggested as they who have the skills in the green economy and building relationships with them to support key projects.  

In regard equalities, having reviewed the responses it is considered that there are no comments that would lead to change of the strategy.   

All comments made by respondents were read and, where appropriate, considered to help shape the final version of the Climate Change Strategy document. The revised strategy including the amendments made following the consultation was then considered and finalised by Members of the Climate Emergency Working Group.  

The final version, which you can view on our climate change webpages, was approved by Cabinet on 12th June 2024. 

To ensure the strategy can be delivered appropriately, we all have a role to play in tackling climate change and we need to work together to deliver on climate action. Following the consultation, the council will develop action plans, to prioritise this action given limited resources available.