Agenda and draft minutes

1.1  Cllr Richard Lufkin

1.2  There were no other apologies for absence

2.1  There were no late items and the agenda was as published.

3.1  There were no declarations of interest.

4.1  Decarbonising Hackney’s economy was a theme throughout the work programme of the Commission in 2021/22.  The focus for this session was the work to support small and medium size business enterprises (SME) to decarbonise.  The Commission took evidence today from the Area Regeneration Team within Hackney Council and Greater London Authority.

Greater London Authority

4.2  Phillip Graham from the Greater London Authority (GLA) presented to the Commission.  A summary of the key points from this submission was as follows:

-  Mayor published a pathway to net-zero by 2030.  An analysis of the most practical route to get to net-zero was set out in the Accelerated Green Pathway.

-  The Mayor’s view was that this was both an environmental and social justice issue, and that plans to decarbonise not only reduce emission, but can also create jobs, improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities.  Failure to act will exacerbate inequalities.

-  New Green Deal aims to double the size of the Green economy by 2030 - there are over 1 million self employed, micro and small businesses which need to be supported to net zero.

-  Microbusiness (< 10 employees) account for most business -Hackney has a large number of businesses - 5th highest in London.

-  Science based Targets Initiative has introduced a specific SME route to carbon reduction for 3 areas (i) direct on-site emissions and fleet (ii) indirect emissions generation of purchased ely and steam (iii) all other indirect sources.

-  There is a positive appetite for net zero, but the biggest challenge for SME’s to net zero is understanding their own emissions and what can be done to reduce these.

-  London Council’s Business 1000 Survey demonstrated a high degree awareness of government net zero ambitions with over ? doing at ;least one activity to reduce their environmental impact.

-  SME’s need help to understand their carbon baseline and strategies to reduce this (e.g. energy usage, finance for retrofit).

-  Local Authorities (LA) have an important role in the shift to netzero in setting targets and putting in parallel support to reach these targets.  LA can shape and influence net zero work in relation to housing, transport, energy use and procurement and can act as convenor for action among local stakeholders.

-  GLA’s view of the LA role - no wrong door approach, support for innovation, support for retrofit and access to funding.

-  The Mayor runs a number of programmes to support businesses including the Business Climate Challenge, London Business Hub and Better Futures and Better Future Programme.

Questions from the Commission

4.3  Can further details be provided on the nature, value and uptake of grants available to support SME to decarbonise?

-  The main programme of support was through the Business Climate Challenge which would provide £1m of support for up to 250 businesses.  There was a range of other support provided through the scheme aside from grants. The pilot was oversubscribed and, given the number of business in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.1  The work programme report was noted and agreed by the Commission. 

5.2  The next meeting would be on the 9th March 2022.

6.1  It was noted that Cllr Carole Williams  was present but was not recorded as attending the meeting. 

6.2  The minutes were noted and agreed.