Cornwall Council to Review Climate Targets and Future Priorities

Cornwall Council’s next steps in tackling the climate and ecological emergencies will be discussed when the cabinet committee meets this week.

Climate and Nature Goals

A new report being presented to cabinet recommends that the council maintains its commitment for 30 per cent of land, rivers and seas to be well managed for nature by 2030. It also calls for reaffirming the council’s pledge to reduce its operational emissions by 70 per cent by the same date.

For Cornwall as a whole, the report proposes 2045 as an ambitious but realistic target for achieving net zero, based on findings from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Area Energy Plan.

Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, Cllr Loic Rich, said:

“Cornish residents expect us to act, and through extensive engagement with our residents, businesses, and partners, through the development of the Local Area Energy Plan and Nature Recovery Strategy, it’s clear that support for climate and nature action across Cornwall remains consistently high.

“This report and its recommendations reaffirm our determination to act but reiterates we cannot deliver this alone.

“We need one and all in Cornwall to work with us and do their bit for nature and climate.”

Draft Priorities for Cornwall

Also on the agenda is a recommendation to approve the council’s draft priorities plan for the next four years and begin a public consultation.

The priorities, shaped by resident feedback, focus on creating strong communities, affordable homes, a resilient economy, better transport, and a cleaner, greener Cornwall. They also include commitments to support families, improve health and well-being, and ensure that every pound spent delivers maximum value.

Cornwall Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost said:

“If recommended our draft council priorities plan is the starting point for launching our public consultation on the plan.

“We want to get your views on what we’ve set out as the most pressing issues we need to tackle in Cornwall over the next four years.”

Meeting Details

Cabinet will also discuss papers on performance, digital inclusion, home-based care and prevention, and sexual and reproductive health commissioning.

The meeting will take place in the Trelawny Room at County Hall (Lys Kernow) in Truro on Wednesday, November 12, starting at 10am. Members of the public are welcome to attend or can watch proceedings live via the Cornwall Council webcast