Agenda item

The Committee will receive an update on the development of the Climate Change Strategy and Carbon Audit.

 

Presenters:

Councillor Bill Chapple, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change

Ed Barlow, Head of Energy

Steve Bambrick, Service Director Planning and Sustainability

David Sutherland, Head of Climate Change & Environment

Minutes:

Mr Bill Chapple, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and Ed Barlow, Head of Energy provided an update on the Climate Change Strategy.  

 

Bill noted that since the last meeting the second lockdown had taken place.  The scale and pace of work on the Strategy across the council had been impressive during a time when resourcing and responding to the COVID 19 pandemic was also taking place. Bill explained that the timetable for the Strategy was ambitious during this difficult time of uncertainty around the impact on the ways or working and living.  Bill explained that the consultation was no longer taking place in December, further time would be required to consider the impact of the pandemic and to consider deliverable financial details of the Strategy. 

 

Bill was proud of the achievements so far on the emerging Strategy.  He thanked the Committee and Working Group, and looked forward to meeting again to discuss the matter.

 

Ed Barlow provided a presentation and it was noted that a motion at Council on 15 July directed the work on the Strategy to enable a net zero of carbon emission by 2050, potentially 2030 subject to resources.  This would be combined with the Low Emissions Strategy which focussed on air quality issues.  Ed confirmed that the timeline had now changed as the public consultation due to be held from 16 November to 16 December had been postponed at this stage.

 

With regards to the public questionnaire released in September it was highlighted that regarding climate change 95% of people were concerned and 79% were very concerned, this was higher in comparison to figures in 2019.   The concern of residents was influenced by scientific and personal experience.  Personal experiences and physical evidence influenced concern regarding air quality.  Respondents were also more aware of physical measures taken by the Council to reduce emissions, such as changes in street lighting to LED, rather than policy or management actions.

 

Development of the Strategy had included internal staff workshops, briefings and engagement with Community Board Coordinators, TECC Select Committee Working Group meetings, dialogue with environmental groups and a public questionnaire with 1370 responses.

 

Two main areas explored by the working group were the need for clarity and transparency over data and for this to be communicated clearly on why and what was being used.  Also, the Council’s role in addressing climate change and the control and mechanisms used to influence actions.

 

The Chairman commented that he was disappointed by the announcement.  Bill assured the Committee that he had thought long and hard about the postponement and the aim was to still take the strategy to the February Cabinet meeting.  However, due to the uncertainty around the pandemic details could not yet be confirmed.  The Chairman noted that he would like the Working Group to meet at least once before the next meeting to add value and critique.

 

In response to further questions the following points were noted:

 

·         Regarding flexibility in the Strategy it was noted that work was being undertaken on immediate changes such as improving the energy efficiency of Council buildings, installing renewable energy such as solar panels, reducing emissions in the council’s fleet with electric vehicles , upgrading the lighting to LEDs, large scale tree planting, working with Community Boards, suppliers and partners to reduce emissions and by using the planning system to deliver low carb development following the Planning White Paper.

·         There was concern that the Strategy was floundering at this early stage. It was suggested to consult third party consultants to help continue with the Strategy.  Bill noted the disappointment in the postponement of the consultation and commented that the Strategy would cover the whole Council and effect everyone.  When completed it would need to be prepared properly to be submitted to members and the public.

·         It was noted that regarding the Aylesbury Vale District Council target to be carbon neutral by 2030 that this had been a decision made by the legacy council and Buckinghamshire Council members had agreed a target of 2050. 

·         There were 3 scopes for emissions: scope 1, direct emissions; scope 2, electricity and scope 3, supplier emission or supplier chains. The Councils approach used scope 1 and two, and business travel from scope 3 using data available.  Regarding benchmarking with what other local authorities were doing in relation to emissions it was noted that this was difficult due to the variations in comparison to other areas. 

·         It was suggested that expansion beyond transport be investigated.

·         New contracts and suppliers were being considered.  Investigations were being undertaken into making the Council’s buildings more carbon friendly.  Commitment was required by everyone to be responsible to reduce emissions.

·         It was suggested that information be provided on the Council’s website to help people understand and make better choices to help reduce their carbon emissions.  It was confirmed that this would be investigated.

·         Concern was raised that individuals were progressing on becoming carbon neutral ahead of the Council.

·         It was confirmed that work would continue on the Strategy and information would be provided as soon as it was available.

 

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member and Ed Barlow for the update.

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