The next stage of Cornwall Council’s response to the climate and ecological emergencies will be on the agenda when the authority’s cabinet committee meets this week.
A new climate and nature report recommends that the council maintains its commitment that 30 per cent of land, rivers and seas will be well managed for nature by 2030.
It calls for the council to reaffirm its pledge to reduce its operational emissions by 70 per cent by the same date.
For the Duchy the report recommends 2045 as an ambitious but realistic timescale to reach net zero based on findings in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Area Energy Plan.
Councillors on the cabinet committee will discuss the recommendations at their meeting at Lys Kernow on Wednesday, November 12.
Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, Cllr Loic Rich, said:
“Cornish residents expect us to act, and through extensive engagement with our residents, businesses, and partners, through the development of the Local Area Energy Plan and Nature Recovery Strategy, it's clear that support for climate and nature action across Cornwall remains consistently high.
“This report and its recommendations reaffirm our determination to act but reiterates we cannot deliver this alone.
“We need one and all in Cornwall to work with us and do their bit for nature and climate.”
Elsewhere on the cabinet agenda is a recommendation to approve the council’s draft priorities plan for Cornwall for the next four years and start a public consultation to get the views of residents.
The priorities - shaped by what residents have said matters most - focus on creating strong communities, affordable homes, a resilient economy, better transport, and a cleaner, greener Cornwall. They also commit the council to supporting families, improving health and well-being, and ensuring that every pound spent delivers maximum value.
Cornwall Council leader, Cllr Leigh Frost, said:
“If recommended our draft council priorities plan is the starting point for launching our public consultation on the plan.
“We want to get your views on what we’ve set out as the most pressing issues we need to tackle in Cornwall over the next four years.”
Cabinet will also discuss papers on the council’s performance, digital inclusion strategy, home-based care and prevention and sexual and reproductive health commissioning.
The meeting takes place in the Trelawny Room at County Hall (Lys Kernow) in Truro on Wednesday, November 12, starting at 10am. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting, or you can watch proceedings online via our webcast service.
Story posted November 10, 2025