Agenda item

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

6.1       The Environment Team Manager introduced the report. This is the second progress report on the implementation of the recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Becoming a Carbon Neutral Council. The review focussed on the council’s scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions where the Council has better data and more control over emissions. Work is also underway to tackle scope 3 emissions, including from the Council’s supply chain (e.g. targets to reduce emissions have been included in the Highways maintenance contract, and free energy audits and grants are being offered to some smaller suppliers). Around one fifth of the recommendations have been completed with others ongoing due to the length of time needed to implement them. The updated corporate climate emergency action plan will inform how the additional resource of £3m per year up to 2024-25 to address the County Council’s carbon footprint will be spent.

6.2       The Committee discussed the report and a summary of the discussion and issues raised is given below.

Carbon Savings vs Costs

6.3       The Committee asked if there is a good understanding of carbon savings versus costs. The Environment Teams Manager outlined that there is a good understanding of the carbon savings of the proposals to reduce carbon emissions, however the costs are changing due to the economic climate. These can be reported back to the Place Scrutiny Committee Working Group and the costs per tonne will be included in the updated corporate climate emergency action plan.

De-carbonisation of heating

6.4       The Committee noted the two pilot projects to install heat pumps and carry out other energy efficiency measures at two schools in Herstmonceux and Ninfield. The Committee commented that heat pumps are generally good at maintaining an even temperature but not so good at rapid heating of spaces. Schools heating needs may require a boost to respond to when pupils arrive in the morning or later in the day. It asked if the heating systems being designed in the pilot projects could respond to this requirement (e.g. two phase heat pumps). It was clarified the pilots will consider this point and any lessons learnt. It was also outlined that the use of hydrogen ready boilers will be kept under review.

Carbon Offsetting and renewables

6.5       The carbon reduction hierarchy suggests taking steps to reduce emissions first and using offsetting last. However, if the Council wants to use offsetting then it would need to be involved early to achieve the benefits from things such as tree planting. It is probably best to take a multiple approach across all aspects of the carbon hierarchy, which includes carbon reduction measures and offsetting in order to achieve the Council’s climate change goals. It would be good to get a view from the Working Group on the approach to take to offsetting.

6.6       There is a fledgeling voluntary natural capital carbon offsetting market. This is a new type of market where landowners are encouraged to undertake tree planting, for example, and then offer the carbon offset on the market. There is currently a South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) funded project to look at brokerage hubs for the voluntary carbon offset market, which is separate to regulated carbon trading schemes.

Climate Change Communications Plan

6.7       The Committee observed that the web site information on climate change is not very interactive. The Environment Team Manager outlined that the web pages are in the process of being updated, but there were technology constraints on how interactive the web pages could be. The communications plan is also in the process of being updated. It was clarified that the Environment Board consisted of representatives from a number of external organisations including representatives from Eastbourne Borough Council, Lewes District Council and Wealden District Council.

Solar Panels

6.8       The Council has surveyed many of its buildings for suitability to install solar (PV) panels. The target is to complete ten building installations this year and ten in the next year. Other finance and delivery opportunities are currently being discussed with the Procurement team, such as working with local energy co-operatives.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charge Points

6.9       The Committee asked whether the Council has looked at different sub-groups of users in devising the EV charging point strategy. The Environment Teams Manager responded that different users are considered (e.g. the charge point at County Hall will also cater for local residents who can access the site). Most charge points will likely be in the 7 Kilowatt range as this meets a number of user needs and is eligible for grant funding.

Carbon Reduction Target

6.10     The Committee commented that it would be useful to have the impact of each measure in the corporate climate emergency action plan on the Council’s 13% per year reduction target when it is updated. The Environment Team Manager responded that where it is possible to measure the amount of carbon reduction for an intervention this can be included in the action plan. Some interventions, such as behaviour change, are difficult to measure so it will not be possible to list the carbon reduction contribution of all interventions.

School Emissions

6.11     The Committee noted the Government plans to include all schools in multi-academy trusts and asked if it would be possible to include carbon transition plans in trust documents (e.g. the leasing or transfer of school buildings). The Environment Team Manager commented that if a maintained school becomes an academy its emissions will no longer be counted as part of the Council’s carbon emissions. Some multi-academy trusts may be large enough to be covered by the Government requirement to report carbon emissions. It is not clear whether the Council would be able to include the requirement to report or have carbon transition plans in academy transfer documents.

Local Food Partnerships

6.12     The Committee asked if Local Food Partnerships were an area that could be explored in the Council’s wider work on climate change. The Environment Team Manager outlined that the Public Health team funds food partnership co-ordinators in all the Borough and Districts in East Sussex.

6.13     The Committee RESOLVED to:

1) Note the progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of the review; and

2) Note the agreed additional spend on corporate climate change of £3m per year up to 2024-25.