FOI request details
Request
Subject: Climate Emergency
Reference: LBR-FOI-00577
In the light of our research we would be grateful if you could provide the following information:
1. Any interim emissions reduction targets that have been set by the Council to meet the 2030 target set out in the
Climate Emergency Strategy.
2. Confirmation as to how many of the interim targets set out in the 2022 Action Plan have been accomplished
within their allotted timelines.
3. An outline of why the Council's Climate Emergency Strategy does not set a borough-wide emissions reduction
target and please give an indication of any plans the council has to amend this.
4. Any plans the Council has to measure council and borough-wide Scope 3 emissions.
5. Clarification as to whether Scope 3 emissions, should they be measured by the council, would be incorporated
into the Climate Emergency Strategy's emissions reduction target.
6. Any data the council has available on the net carbon output (carbon footprint) of the Council and the borough as a
whole.
7. In light of a greater emphasis placed on climate change adaptation strategies at COP27, please confirm whether
the Council will be strengthening its climate resilience targets.
Response
None Disclosed - 7 February 2023
Request for Information - LBR-FOI-00577 - Climate Emergency
I refer to your request for information received on 26 January 2023. Please see the information below in response to your request: -
Your Request:
In the light of our research we would be grateful if you could provide the following information:
1. Any interim emissions reduction targets that have been set by the Council to meet the 2030 target set out in the
Climate Emergency Strategy.
2. Confirmation as to how many of the interim targets set out in the 2022 Action Plan have been accomplished
within their allotted timelines.
3. An outline of why the Council's Climate Emergency Strategy does not set a borough-wide emissions reduction
target and please give an indication of any plans the council has to amend this.
4. Any plans the Council has to measure council and borough-wide Scope 3 emissions.
5. Clarification as to whether Scope 3 emissions, should they be measured by the council, would be incorporated
into the Climate Emergency Strategy's emissions reduction target.
6. Any data the council has available on the net carbon output (carbon footprint) of the Council and the borough as a
whole.
7. In light of a greater emphasis placed on climate change adaptation strategies at COP27, please confirm whether
the Council will be strengthening its climate resilience targets.
Our Response:
Please note that Richmond Council have a paper going to committee in February 2023 that addresses all of your questions. There will be a full update on the RCES, updates against all 2022 actions and actions for 2023. Therefore, the Council considers the information that you have requested to currently be exempt from disclosure under Section 22 - Information intended for future publication of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The publication date is in the near future and we consider it reasonable to not publish the information prior to this date. The information you have requested comes within the exemption in Section 22, which means that the Council have considered the public interest test in its application.
Public interest in favour of disclosure:
There is strong public interest in the general principles of transparency and accountability.
Public interest in favour of maintaining the exemption:
There is a public interest in the Council being able to publish information in a planned and managed way. There is also a strong argument for us to allow everyone view this information at the same time. Releasing information to individual requesters in response to FOI requests on varying occasions could result in partial information being released over a protracted period leading to confusion and inaccuracy. In this instance there is proposed date for publication and clear justification for when the information would be disclosed to the public at large. We therefore, find that there is a public interest in ensuring the public have access to the information at same time.
Furthermore, it is not in the public interest for officers to spend time responding to a specific request where the information will be available in the near future. This is especially the case where Local Authority budgets are stretched, and the Council is currently looking to make efficiency savings.
Although we appreciate there is a public interest in providing the information under the general principles of transparency and accountability, we have considered that as the information is due to be published in the near future and disclosing it prior to this would impact on the planned and managed disclosure of information and increase the burden on the Council's resources.
This response acts as a Refusal Notice.
If you are dissatisfied with the information provided in relation to your request, you may make representations to the Information and Transparency Manager. Any such request for an internal review should be made within 40 days from today's date. Correspondence should be addressed to: foir@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision at: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/
Regards,
FOI and DPA Officer
foir@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Please note that our responses were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of release, and have not subsequently been updated. This information should be considered an historical record only.