Agenda item

The Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy 2022-2023 Progress Report provided an update on the significant progress made against the aims, objectives, and actions set out in the Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy within the second year following its adoption on 19 October 2021.

Details of 51 activities were provided, many of which addressed several actions in the Strategy. These had contributed to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) decreasing by 7.73% from 2019 to 2021; nitrogen dioxide concentrations staying within the annual mean value in 2022 (apart from one location where new diffusion tube monitoring was established within the Friarage Road Air Quality Management Area in 2022); and, the Council’s GHG emissions being 73.7% lower in ‘22/’23 compared to its emissions from 1990.

The Council was responsible for 5,401 tCO2e (net emissions) in ‘22/’23.  It had kept comfortably within the Council’s carbon allocation for ‘22/’23 (6,953 tCO2e) and was on track to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by at least 75% by 2030.

RESOLVED –

That the progress made in 2022-23 against the aims, objectives and actions in the Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy be NOTED.

The Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy 2022-2023 Progress Report provided an update on the significant progress made against the aims, objectives, and actions set out in the Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy within the second year following its adoption on 19 October 2021.

Details of 51 activities were provided, many of which addressed several actions in the Strategy. These had contributed to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) decreasing by 7.73% from 2019 to 2021; nitrogen dioxide concentrations staying within the annual mean value in 2022 (apart from one location where new diffusion tube monitoring was established within the Friarage Road Air Quality Management Area in 2022); and, the Council’s GHG emissions being 73.7% lower in ‘22/’23 compared to its emissions from 1990.

The Council was responsible for 5,401 tCO2e (net emissions) in ‘22/’23.  It had kept comfortably within the Council’s carbon allocation for ‘22/’23 (6,953 tCO2e) and was on track to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by at least 75% by 2030.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment stated that these figures were a result of partnership working with voluntary and community groups, schools, the waste team, libraries and other organisations such as the Forestry Commission. The Council applied for any available government grants in this area and also had reduced the cost per tree to provide value for money whilst planting on a reasonable scale (145,000 trees over a 12 month period). The target was 543,000 by the end of 2031 planting season, which was effectively one per resident in the County and included smaller planted areas in schools to tree plantations on a larger scale. The Council had met over 35 climate and environmental groups across the County and had a thriving eco – system of local community groups which dealt with a range of different projects and initiatives. There was a dedicated Project Officer to ensure that there was good cross-collaboration between the groups. The Council were looking at projects regarding insulating homes and using solar panels and the two big initiatives in this regard were the Solar Together Scheme and the Energy Doctor Scheme. The Solar Together Scheme, which used bulk purchasing to get good deals for local residents, had delivered 4,356 panels across Buckinghamshire which was equivalent to 2.1 megawatts. The Energy Doctor Scheme had helped 150 homes to obtain better insultation which included advisors visiting qualifying homes to improve on carbon emissions and energy saving. The first electric bin lorry had been ordered and another 8 different vehicles were coming in across the fleet as part of the commitment on transport. With regards to air quality, air quality monitoring showed there was only one exceedance of the annual mean National Air Quality Objective for NO2 within Buckinghamshire. This was a new monitoring location added in 2022 located within the Friarage Road Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in Aylesbury. There was a Climate Change Newsletter with 4,000 readers and also a large range of information online. https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/campaign/bucks-climate-challenge/

During discussion the following points were made:-

·       There was a Green Schools Competition on 8 December 2023, which was held annually.

·       In terms of technology, the Cabinet Member reported that they had their first upcycled refuse lorry, which was making use of the chassis and mechanics that were still in good working order after eight years use. A local provider was converting them to use battery packs. This upcycled lorry would be tested in Buckinghamshire before converting other vehicles to ensure it was fit for purpose. As refuse lorries were heavy, they might not be good for hilly routes and were more suited for urban routes, particularly where air quality management plans were in place. The Council had been awarded an Air Quality Grant from Defra of £578,000 to upcycle and electrify the refuse collection vehicle (RCV). Procurement of a supplier for the contract for the retrofit work had been awarded to Lunaz Applied Technologies Ltd. Delivery of the upcycled vehicle was expected before the end of 2023.

·       Buckinghamshire Council was delivering on its commitment to upgrade the nearly 29,000 streetlights it maintained to energy-saving LED light bulbs. Over 91% had already been converted and more streetlights, illuminated bollards and signs, and belisha beacons were scheduled for upgrading by the end of the year. The Cabinet Member commented that working across portfolios was a key requirement as climate change affected every area.

·       Home to School Transport taxis and minibuses, which had up to and including 16 seats, had to meet Euro 6 emission and heavy duty vehicles, such as buses and coaches, had to meet Euro 5 emission standards. As reported at Select Committee, the rules for this had changed this year. Incremental changes were made to the fleet to reduce emissions over time. Any ultra-low emission taxi vehicles could be licenced for up to 15 years rather than the standard period of ten to provide incentive.

https://buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=343&MId=18212&Ver=4

Cabinet welcomed the progress made.

RESOLVED –

That the progress made in 2022-23 against the aims, objectives and actions in the Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy be NOTED.