Issue - meetings

Report of Corporate Director Communities and Climate Action Manager

Purpose of report

To set out the council’s response to the petition received at the 17 July 2023 Council meeting asking the council to support the raising of awareness of the links between food choices, individual carbon footprints and biodiversity loss.

The wording of the petition was as follows:

“We, the undersigned, petition Council to use its website and leaflets to households on recycling and food waste to raise awareness of the links between food choices, individual carbon footprints and biodiversity loss.

We ask Council to encourage residents to consume less meat and dairy and to support local growers and farmers by choosing seasonal, local produce. "

This report sets out how the Council has considered the petition and seeks approval of Executive for its proposed resolution.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To acknowledge that the council has already taken considerable steps to support the need for changes in the way food is produced in order to reduce its impact on the climate and biodiversity.

1.2         To acknowledge that the council is continuing to support the district in reducing its carbon emissions and seek opportunities to enhance local biodiversity and is working with a range of partners on several initiatives to make this possible.

1.3         To acknowledge the work of the Food Insecurity Working Group and the development of a food strategy locally through Good Food Oxfordshire.

1.4         To ask the Corporate Director Communities to respond to the petitioner setting out the Council’s position.

Resolved

(1)          That it be acknowledged that the council has already taken considerable steps to support the need for changes in the way food is produced in order to reduce its impact on the climate and biodiversity.

(2)          That it be acknowledge that the council is continuing to support the district in reducing its carbon emissions and seek opportunities to enhance local biodiversity and is working with a range of partners on several initiatives to make this possible.

(3)          That the work of the Food Insecurity Working Group and the development of a food strategy locally through Good Food Oxfordshire be acknowledged.

(4)          That the Corporate Director Communities be asked to respond to the petitioner setting out the council’s position.

The Corporate Director Communities and Climate Action Manager submitted a report to set out the council’s response to the petition received at the 17 July 2023 Council meeting asking the council to support the raising of awareness of the links between food choices, individual carbon footprints and biodiversity loss and sought approval of Executive for its proposed resolution.

The wording of the petition was:

“We, the undersigned, petition Council to use its website and leaflets to households on recycling and food waste to raise awareness of the links between food choices, individual carbon footprints and biodiversity loss.

We ask Council to encourage residents to consume less meat and dairy and to support local growers and farmers by choosing seasonal, local produce. "

Linda Newbery, the organiser of the petition, addressed Executive.

The Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities thanked Ms Newbury for her address.

Resolved

(1)          That it be acknowledged that the council has already taken considerable steps to support the need for changes in the way food is produced in order to reduce its impact on the climate and biodiversity.

(2)          That it be acknowledge that the council is continuing to support the district in reducing its carbon emissions and seek opportunities to enhance local biodiversity and is working with a range of partners on several initiatives to make this possible.

(3)          That the work of the Food Insecurity Working Group and the development of a food strategy locally through Good Food Oxfordshire be acknowledged.

(4)          That the Corporate Director Communities be asked to respond to the petitioner setting out the council’s position.

Reasons

This report has set out how the council already recognises the impact of food choices on the climate and the natural environment, and has already taken steps to initiate positive change.

Several policy areas contribute to this theme, including the Climate Change Framework 2020, the adoption of One Planet Living, council support of the Climate Action Oxfordshire website and the developing Climate Action Plan.

Changes to methods of food production and in public behaviour around food choices need action across both the public and private sectors. This includes Cherwell District Council, which will continue to work on reducing emissions, protecting the natural environment and improving the sustainability of the district of Cherwell.

Alternative options

Option 1 – Take the steps to encourage all residents to reduce their consumption of meat and dairy, as sought in the petition. This option is rejected as the council is already taking several steps to encourage residents to understand the implications of their food choices and therefore meeting our responsibilities to raise awareness of these issues as part of a programme of climate change activity.