Subject: Net Zero & Climate Adaptation in Brighton & Hove
Date of meeting: 23 July 2026
Proposer: Councillor Hill
Seconder: Councillor Sykes
Ward(s) affected: All
Notice of Motion
This Council notes:
1) The work undertaken to accelerate the city’s progress to Net Zero, including large scale rooftop solar generation, nation-leading EV charging, the development of a Strategic Energy Partnership to fund and deliver the decarbonisation project pipeline.
2) That city’s leadership in the establishment of Sussex Energy to achieve zero carbon energy for the whole of Sussex by 2040 and the importance of this work continuing.
3) That the UK recently recorded its hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching 37.3°C, and that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense as a result of climate change. The Met Office has estimated that more than 2,700 people are thought to have died from heat-related causes during the May and June heatwaves in England and Wales.
4) That climate change is already affecting residents in Brighton & Hove through overheating, pressure on health and care services, disruption to transport and public services, impacts on schools and workplaces, and increased risks to vulnerable people.
5) The work done to date on climate adaptation, including the Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment and the Climate and Nature Action Plan.
6) News reports that indicate that the government is looking to give consent to new oil drilling in the North Sea by issuing licenses to allow for the Rosebank & Jackdaw.
7) Any new oil and gas field approval is wholly incompatible with keeping global warming to 1.5°C, the internationally agreed limit for avoiding the worst impacts of climate breakdown.
This Council resolves to:
1) Request officers to explore creating and maintaining a publicly accessible "Cool Spaces" map, identifying libraries, community hubs, parks, public buildings and other locations where residents can find respite during periods of extreme heat;
2) Requests officers to review actions from the Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment and Climate & Nature Action Plan and consider whether a standalone action plan focused on increasing resilience to heat is required;
3) Request officers to explore the establishment of a Heatwave Partnership, bringing together the council, NHS, universities, schools, housing providers, emergency services, community groups and businesses to coordinate preparedness and response.
4) Request that the Council Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Miatta Fahnbulleh asking her not to issue licenses to the Rosebank & Jackdaw oil field developments.
Recommendations to read if carried:
This Council notes:
1) The work undertaken to accelerate the city’s progress to Net Zero, including large scale rooftop solar generation, nation-leading EV charging, the development of a Strategic Energy Partnership to fund and deliver the decarbonisation project pipeline.
2) That city’s leadership in the establishment of Sussex Energy to achieve zero carbon energy for the whole of Sussex by 2040 and the importance of this work continuing.
3) That the UK recently recorded its hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching 37.3°C, and that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense as a result of climate change. The Met Office has estimated that more than 2,700 people are thought to have died from heat-related causes during the May and June heatwaves in England and Wales.
4) That climate change is already affecting residents in Brighton & Hove through overheating, pressure on health and care services, disruption to transport and public services, impacts on schools and workplaces, and increased risks to vulnerable people.
5) The work done to date on climate adaptation, including the Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment and the Climate and Nature Action Plan.
6) News reports that indicate that the government is looking to give consent to new oil drilling in the North Sea by issuing licenses to allow for the Rosebank & Jackdaw.
7) Any new oil and gas field approval is wholly incompatible with keeping global warming to 1.5°C, the internationally agreed limit for avoiding the worst impacts of climate breakdown.
This Council resolves to:
1) Request officers to explore creating and maintaining a publicly accessible "Cool Spaces" map, identifying libraries, community hubs, parks, public buildings and other locations where residents can find respite during periods of extreme heat;
2) Requests officers to review actions from the Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment and Climate & Nature Action Plan and consider whether a standalone action plan focused on increasing resilience to heat is required;
3) Request officers to explore the establishment of a Heatwave Partnership, bringing together the council, NHS, universities, schools, housing providers, emergency services, community groups and businesses to coordinate preparedness and response.
4) Request that the Council Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Miatta Fahnbulleh asking her not to issue licenses to the Rosebank & Jackdaw oil field developments.