Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which provided the second and final annual update on progress of the Council’s first Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP1).  The report also presented the second Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP2), for the period 2022-24 (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

Stephen McDonald, Principal Climate Change Officer highlighted the Council’s carbon emissions during 2020/21 were 44,319 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e), marking a reduction of 58% compared with the baseline year of 2008/9.  The Committee noted new targets set out in CERP2, which was adopted by Cabinet in June, are to achieve net zero by 2030 (against 2008/09 levels) by retaining the CERP1 80% actual carbon reduction target for Council emissions by 2030 whilst offsetting or further reducing remaining emissions and to achieve net zero by 2045 for countywide emissions.

Members noted CERP2 has further developed both Council and community-based actions to take forward the carbon reduction commitments over the period 2022-24. The Principal Climate Change Officer explained that within CERP2, there is a high level strategy containing four key principles and ten thematic areas including decarbonisation, transport connectivity and behavioural change.  The Principal Climate Change Officer then provided details of some of the highlights of CERP, including the replacement of an oil-burning heating system with an air source heat pump at Woodland Primary School and the minewater heated housing development at Seaham Garden Village.  Referring to the observation by Mrs Morris made earlier in the meeting that the minewater project at Seaham Garden Village is the only project of its kind in the county, the Principal Climate Change Officer commented that actions of CERP2 include investigating other locations in the county which are suitable for minewater heating systems. The Principal Climate Change Officer also spoke of the Scaling on Street Charging Initiative (SOSCI) project which has installed 153 EV fast chargepoint sockets in the county and he concluded the presentation by explaining the various engagement activities planned for 2022-23. 

In thanking officers for the presentation, the Chair invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor J Quinn referred to future plans for off-grid battery storage and the Principal Climate Change Officer highlighted the Annfield Plain Zero Carbon Depot which has a large-scale solar farm built to power the services that operate from the depot. In addition, air source heat pumps and battery storage will maximise solar energy generation on the site. 

Councillor Potts raised concerns regarding the amount of plastic waste exported and the Principal Climate Change Officer referred to the plans for a waste-to-energy power station at Teesside.

The Chair informed the Committee that they will have the opportunity to consider strategic waste management in more detail at a future meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Adamreferred to the reference in CERP2 to the development of ‘green jobs’ in a range of industries, with Business Durham working to attract investment in clean energy and he queried what the asks of Business Durham are. The Principal Climate Change Officer informed the Committee that quarterly meetings are held with Business Durham in this regard and Business Durham has a dedicated officer who is responsible for promoting sustainability.  

Councillor Adam also referred to page 62 of CERP2 which highlights the promotion of low carbon food systems and farming practices and he asked whether the Council carries out discussions with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in order to expand actions in this area.  The Principal Climate Change Officer confirmed that a meeting with the NFU is scheduled for August to further develop this work.  The Chair advised Councillor Adam that, due to time constraints, responses to the three further questions he had submitted in writing, prior to the meeting, would be passed to the service for a response to be provided.

Councillor Elmer spoke of the recent extreme weather events adding that CERP2 states there is a need to properly measure scope 3 emissions and he raised concerns that some scope 3 emissions are not measured, such as the grey fleet, waste incineration and the Council’s approach to investment in aviation. He urged the Council to develop metrics to analyse scope 3 emissions.  The Principal Climate Change Officer responded that the Council is looking to procure a software package which will enable more efficient monitoring of scope 3 emissions.

Mr Walton, Co-optee, asked whether developers are encouraged to use reclaimed materials in housing developments. The Principal Climate Change Officer agreed to look into Policy 29 for clarification to be provided.  Mr Walton also asked whether recycled products are used in asphalt and concrete and the Climate Change Officer responded that he was aware that projects had been trialled and he would provide further details as to the current position.  Referring to the future of bus transportation and electric buses, Mr Walton asked if there is collaboration with neighbouring authorities to enable integrated services across authority boundaries.  The officer confirmed that the Council engages with neighbouring transport authorities to ensure future plans will have a regional perspective.

Mr Walton also asked whether there is information available as to whether the Government is planning to change the regulations with regard to energy from waste and the Chair responded that an update will be provided within the waste management report to be considered at a future meeting.

Councillor Charlton referred to the SOSCI project and commented that 153 fast chargepoints seemed relatively low for the size of the county and raised concerns regarding the amount of properties that lack the facilities required for electric vehicle charging.

ThePrincipal Climate Change Officer informed the Committee that the SOSCI project has a focus on installing charging points in areas with a high proportion of terraced housing and he referred to pilot schemes to investigate the use of gulleys, covers and ramps across footpaths. He added that working is being undertaken with disability groups to ensure that measures are accessible and do not cause trip hazards. The officer commented that the Committee will be updated on progress in due course.

Councillor Nicholls requested that as many site visits be arranged as possible, for example to view the retrofit project at Woodland Primary school and the various waste management facilities, to enable Members to gain a better understanding of the processes involved.

Resolved:

a)    That progress against CERP1 projects have helped to achieve 58% Council reduction in tCO₂e from 2008/9 and countywide a 54% reduction (2019) in tCO₂e from 1990 levels be noted.

b)    That the delivery of the CERP2 action plan be monitored, with further updates included in the Committee’s 2022/2023 work programme.