Agenda item

Councillor Bill Chapple (Cabinet Member Environment and Climate Change) will be giving a short overview about the Council’s strategy.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Bill Chapple.

Councillor Chapple introduced himself and explained that he was the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and David Sutherland who was the Head of Climate Change and Environment.

Councillor Chapple explained that at the 16 February Cabinet meeting, it was decided this strategy would be taken out to Community Boards and schools. The key points of the presentation were:

·         The Council accounted for less than 1% of emissions in the county although this would be looked at to see what improvements could be made, such as looking at council buildings and how a direct approach could be identified. Understanding the connection between the Council and emission source would lead to planning effective actions.

·         Sixty actions had been identified and were within the strategy and had been arranged in order of the degree of control or influence that the Council had from direct sources, suppliers and partners.

·         Highlighting the strategy of helping communities to address climate change which was particularly relevant for groups such as the Community Boards it was hoped that support would be given to local projects ambitions.

·         It was noted that support was being given to two groups who would be planting trees in suitable places along highways/roads.

·         In reference to Emissions Reduction Target. It was hoped the emissions would be reduced by at least 75% compared to the 1990 baseline (this was the baseline year that all national targets were based on). This compared to the UK National Target of 68% reduction by 2030 based on those 1990 baseline figures. This meant that the Council was setting a quicker pace that the national pace.

·         By 2040 it was hoped to achieve a 90% reduction with a 100% reduction reached by 2050. It was also hoped that the county would be carbon neutral by 2050 although it was hoped this could be achieved earlier.   

·         Tree planting projects could help in achieving net zero emissions as it provides a negative emission or carbon offset which would lead to net zero.

·         The aim was to plant a tree for every man, woman and child in Buckinghamshire; a figure which was, currently, approximately 543,000 although this figure could increase following the national Census due to take place in March 2021. However, the figure would have increased by 2030 due to all the development taking place within the county.

·         The new woodland would absorb between 300 and 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 30 years and would require in excess of 200 hectares of land to accommodate the number of trees.

·         Once the programme was completed, it was estimated that a total of 60,000 tonnes of carbon would be absorbed from the atmosphere therefore reaching a net zero emissions figure.

·         The tree planting would also have other benefits such as supporting biodiversity gains, flood alleviation and amenity access for the public.

·         An outline programme of works had been laid out. It was noted that it was a deliverable programme which would ensure that net zero emissions was achieved. It was noted that funds would be put aside for the maintenance of the trees which were due to be planted. 200 acres had been identified for the planting of these trees although the location was yet to be announced.

In answer to questions is was noted that:

·         The Council was working with DEFRA. Buckinghamshire had been singled out to be a pilot for Nature Recovery Strategy – one of five so had regular contact with ministerial contacts. Currently working with the Forestry Commission and Woodland Trust. HS2 stated that 2.3 million trees would be planted on 290 hectares which meant it would be very dense and would be doomed to failure. No indication of how much maintenance would be involved had been given. When asked how many trees HS2 had taken down the response was that they did not know. The Council had been working on its strategy before HS2 had done anything so planting these trees would be planted in any case. It was noted that the Government wanted 17% coverage of trees with 75% of trees to be planted in first five years.

·         Under the Government Bill there were two key areas which would mandate. The first was to request Local Authorities to produce a local Nature Recovery Strategy. Biodiversity Net Gain would be introduced into the planning system.

·         In reference to the pilot scheme, a core team within Buckinghamshire Council also included DEFRA, Natural England and the Environment Agency were all working together and a series of workshops were run throughout February 2021.  Areas would be identified as to where habitat could be restored or created. This would link in with the new Environmental Land Management Scheme which was to replace the Common Agricultural Policy.

·         It was noted that to achieve the reductions in emissions would mean a change to our culture such as fewer foreign holidays, keeping a mobile phone for longer than previously, e.g. not changing a handset on an annual basis. Our culture needs to change to achieve carbon neutral. Work within the buildings the council owned were being looked at, for instance to place solar panels on buildings or in car parks.

·         In relation to HS2 taking trees down and being informed of how many they have or intend to take down. It was noted that HS2 had special powers and under those special powers had taken down very many trees and therefore the number taken down could not be known.

·         Once discussions with farmers and landowners had taken place the public would be notified of where the tree planting would take place. By following government guidance, the pot of funds had been increased from £5 million to £10 million.

·         Discussions were taking place with the Council’s own Highways team to replace the 189 trees that had been taken down for valid reasons. Agreement had been reached that from the 2021 financial year onwards, if a tree needed to be taken down, it would be replaced.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Chapple and David Sutherland for their informative presentation.