Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which provided an update on progress of the Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP2) in advance of a presentation by the Net Zero Manager (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

Stephen McDonald, Net Zero Manager, introduced the presentation by updating the Committee on the current position with regard to Durham County Council’s carbon emissions which showed a reduction of 61% on the 2008/09 levels.  Countywide carbon emissions had reduced by 54% from the 1990 baseline and the aim was to have a net zero Council by 2030 and a net zero County Durham by 2045.

With respect to Council emissions, the Net Zero Manager referred to the graph which showed no significant percentage change in relation to emissions from heat and transport since 2009.  Electricity emissions had reduced significantly, partly due to the decarbonisation of the electricity grid. The Council’s carbon emissions during 2022/23 were approximately 41,773 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which was a 4% reduction from the previous year which represented a 61% reduction from the 2008/09 levels. The scale of the task was illustrated by the Net Zero Manager who explained that the overall target is to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by 80% from the 2008/09 levels, by 2030. The Net Zero Manager then outlined some of the Council’s building decarbonisation projects which were either complete or underway, including the low carbon depot at Morrison Busty and air source heat pump implementation at various leisure centres throughout the county.

In respect of countywide carbon emissions, the Committee noted a 54% reduction from the 1990 baseline, which equated to a 2% increase in carbon than 2020 levels which could be attributed to the increased transport, domestic and commercial emissions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic recovery. Details were provided on the development of schemes with countywide benefit including housing retrofit schemes, community resilience projects, the additional funding for further electric vehicle charging points and the Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP). 

The Net Zero Manager explained that in addition to these ongoing projects, the Low Carbon team is working on the next iteration of the Climate Emergency Response Plan which will focus on the period 2024-2027. The Committee noted that discussions are being held with colleagues within the seven councils that cover the new North East Combined Authority on cross-cutting themes, which will be influenced by the devolution deal, including climate change.

Looking forward to projects in the future, the Net Zero Manager outlined these included solar car ports, additional PV generation and the Council’s first wind application project. He added that whilst significant challenges lie ahead, the Low Carbon team is well positioned and will continue to use the funding available to maximum effect.

The Chair thanked the officers for the presentation and invited questions from the Committee.

Councillor Adam thanked the team for the amount of work undertaken. He questioned whether the targets to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by a further 10% in the next year and to achieve an 80% reduction on the 2008/09 levels by 2030, were achievable. The Net Zero Manager acknowledged the mere 4% reduction in the level last year, however, he pointed out that the emission reductions from recent heat projects were not fully reflected in the annual data at this stage.

The Net Zero Manager recognised that there is more work to be done, particularly in relation to emissions from transport and he explained the Council is replacing smaller diesel and petrol vehicles with electric alternatives however larger vehicles remain expensive to replace with electrical alternatives, at present. 

Councillor Adam referred to paragraph 57 of the report which stated eight out of nine towns have now completed Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans and he asked whether data was available as to how many cars had been removed from the road as a result of the schemes.  The Net Zero Manager responded that he would request the figures, for circulation to the Committee, following the meeting.

Councillor Stubbs pointed out that NETPark was identified in the presentation as the third worst performer in relation to the Council’s carbon emissions and he asked what action was being taken to address this, in light of the expansion of NETPark. The Net Zero Manager clarified that NETPark Phase 3 will be off-gas. Councillor Lines commented on the importance of the Council leading by example in terms of clean energy and green manufacturing at NETPark. Councillor Wilkes, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, highlighted that NETPark Phase 3 will not be connected to the gas network and it will be a low carbon design in order to reduce the environmental impact. 

Councillor Sutton-Lloyd asked whether further information was available in respect of the developments of geothermal energy systems. The Net Zero Manager responded that further information on geothermal energy would be provided during the report and presentation on opportunities for minewater heat, which was to follow.

Councillor McLean commended the good work of the Low Carbon team.  He raised concern at the damage caused to the environment resulting from importing vehicle parts from overseas and he suggested that more could be done to encourage the Council to purchase vehicles and parts produced in the UK. The Net Zero Manager highlighted that the Council’s Social Value in Procurement policy aims to reduce impact on the environment.  He added that, at present, the purchase of electric vehicles can be hampered by long lead-in times.

Councillor Wilkes thanked the Low Carbon team for their work and he added that he was pleased to see the appointment of a tier 4 manager to the team.  He highlighted that the recent Climate Change Action Scorecard placed Durham County Council as the highest-rated council in the LA7. Councillor Wilkes also stated that the team had used funding to good effect and he had made representations to Lord Callanan that consideration should be given to a review of the current bidding process.

Councillor Elmer echoed the comments regarding the good work. He commented that more progress is required with respect to waste management and incineration, as the carbon from burning household residual waste is not currently included in the data.

The Net Zero Manager replied that the Greenhouse Gas Protocol excludes the combustion element of waste incineration. He added that carbon capture remains an ambition for the Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility and it is likely that future funding rounds will occur.

Councillor Elmer raised concern that the Council continues to invest in aviation and that there has been no significant progress in relation to tackling car ownership as a culture. The Net Zero Manager referred to the North East devolution deal which will provide more decision making power and funding for transport.  He added that the Low Carbon team works alongside Transport colleagues and discussions are taking place with regard to future projects.

Councillor Wilkes stated that the Newcastle International Airport website provides information on their commitment to become a net zero emissions airport by 2035.

Councillor Elmer concluded by asking if there was progress on developing a metric to monitor the number of houses in private ownership which require improvements to insulation.  In response, the Net Zero Manager stated that mapping is taking place and insulation projects had been carried out in the past, however, the projects require funding to encourage companies to invest.  He stated that he would make enquiries with the Housing Solutions team with regard to the figures, for a response to be circulated to the Committee. 

Resolved:

The Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

(a)       Noted the significant progress made against delivering during year one of the Climate Emergency Response Plan 2.

(b)       Noted that whilst significant progress has been made, opportunities and challenges lie ahead, and guided by future CERPs, this will require resource consideration as part of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.