Agenda item

The Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy 2021-2022 Progress Report provided an update on the significant progress made against the aims, objectives, and actions set out in our Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy within the year following its adoption on 19th October 2021. Details of 51 activities were provided, many of which addressed several actions in the Strategy. These have contributed to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) decreasing by 10.61% from 2019 to 2020 and nitrogen dioxide concentrations staying within the annual mean value in the last two calendar years in Buckinghamshire; and, the Council’s GHG emissions being 70% lower in 2021/2022 compared to its emissions from 1990.

The Council was responsible for 6,095 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (TCO2e) in 2021/2022. The Council had kept comfortably within the Council’s carbon budget for 2021/2022 (7,407 TCO2e) and were on track to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by at least 75% by 2030.

RESOLVED –

That the progress made in 2021-2022 against the aims, objectives and actions in the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy be NOTED.

The Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy 2021-2022 Progress Report provided an update on the significant progress made against the aims, objectives, and actions set out in the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy within the year following its adoption on 19th October 2021. Details of 51 activities were provided, many of which addressed several actions in the Strategy. These have contributed to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) decreasing by 10.61% from 2019 to 2020 and nitrogen dioxide concentrations staying within the annual mean value in the last two calendar years in Buckinghamshire; and, the Council’s GHG emissions being 70% lower in 2021/2022 compared to its emissions from 1990.

The Council was responsible for 6,095 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (TCO2e) in 2021/2022. The Council had kept comfortably within the Council’s carbon budget for 2021/2022 (7,407 TCO2e) and were on track to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by at least 75% by 2030. The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment referred to some examples such as installing 450 solar panels on the roof of Chiltern Lifestyle Centre.

The Cabinet Member also reported that there were nine AQMA’s and he referenced the 40 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide threshold and that the Council was under this threshold in all areas with the exception of Wendover Road. The Team were monitoring this area closely. There were a lot of good initiatives such as providing assistance for insulating homes, including 108 battery installations. There had been a lot of collaborative work with partners.

During discussion the following points were noted:-

·         A Cabinet Member reported that half of the Council’s emission rates were generated by buildings and a significant downsizing of the Council estate would play an important part in reducing carbon emissions.

·         The target for tree planting was to plant 21,000 trees on Council owned land and procurement work to contract a woodland and maintenance contractor had concluded which would see 28,000 trees planted across two large sites. A tree would be planted for every resident.

·         It was important to keep air pollution within prescribed thresholds for any infrastructure projects and according to planning policy. There were opportunities to tighten this policy with the development of the new Local Plan.

·         The Stoke Road AQMA was adjacent to the railway sidings and their engines were run 24 hours a day. This would be looked at as this had crept above 40 micrograms and work would be carried out with partners. It would be good to encourage Chiltern Railways to go electric.

·         A Cabinet Member emphasized the importance of communicating what work had been carried out by the Council and also work undertaken in individual portfolios who were all playing their part on climate change and air quality. The Council was undertaking a lot of good work to reach targets which had not been reported for example most of the Council buildings had solar panels and the Chiltern Leisure Centre had a water source heat pump which was very efficient. Another target was to install solar panels in Council car parks.

The Cabinet Member reported that it was important to lead by example and that protecting the environment was a fundamental part of the budget setting process.

RESOLVED –

That the progress made in 2021-2022 against the aims, objectives and actions in the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy be NOTED.