Portfolio spotlight: Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability
Published: 28 December 2023
Councillor Carmel Swan with representatives from Derby City Council and Eurovia at the works on Victoria Street
Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability looks back on the year and ahead to 2024.
Since becoming the Cabinet Member responsible for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, I’ve worked hard to keep the objectives of our manifesto at the heart of my aspirations and actions.
Our core mission is to curb greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero carbon status by 2035; arguably one of our greatest challenges.
But if we were in any doubt about the need for action, the recent flooding during Storm Babet in October was a poignant reminder of our vulnerability to extreme weather conditions, and why we need to keep Climate Change at the forefront of our agenda.
Flood alleviation is a key element of protecting people, properties and infrastructure and the next stage of the Our City, Our River (OCOR) flood defence scheme will improve resilience along the east bank of the River Derwent as it goes through the city centre.
We have already started on our goal of weaving climate impact into the Council structure, by introducing a Climate Change Impact Assessment tool (CCIA). By using this tool, we can include climate change as a mandatory consideration whenever we make decisions.
Tackling the climate change challenge requires collective effort and so I have also invited diverse stakeholders across the city to collaborate as a strategic Sustainability Derby Partnership Board, fulfilling a second manifesto promise. So much more can be achieved when ideas are exchanged, innovations discussed, and information shared.
Major city employers, such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota, Severn Trent, along with the University of Derby, the Environment Agency, and the Derby Climate Coalition are working with us so we can gain a deeper understanding of how to achieve a greener future.
The first upgrades in St Peter’s Street, Babington Lane, and Gower Street have been completed, meaning that people should now be able travel through this part of Derby quickly, safely and sustainably. Works at Victoria and Albert Street will see a raft of improvements to make active travel, such as walking and cycling, easier.
There is more to come and our commitment to enhancing Derby remains unwavering. We have a lot of exciting improvements planned or underway around the city for 2024, as we continue to deliver a better, greener Derby.