Agenda item

(Indicative timing: 10.30 – 11.05am)

The Panel received a report which set out an update on developments relating to the Council’s Net Zero Plan.

The CMR advised that since taking on the Cabinet Member role, and having reviewed the situation, he had instigated a shift in emphasis on the Plan. Cabinet colleagues had agreed that the pace of the progression of the Council’s Net Zero Plan should be slowed down in order to ensure that it was more robust and effective. Time should be allowed for wider engagement with a range of groups including members, customers and District Councils as well as ensuring the involvement of the CRBMAG. The CMR wanted to ensure that the focus on carbon reduction and biodiversity initiatives was embedded within the Directorates and that they identified improvements that could be made in their area to bring value to the Plan.

The Sustainability Manager provided an overview of the report drawing attention to the following key issues:

·         There had been an overall reduction in net emissions of 47% since the baseline year of 2009/10, which had been achieved through key measures in the Net Zero Plan including, investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy on the Council’s estate, an increase in remote working, and by far the largest proportion resulting from the move from landfill of household waste to disposal through the Energy to Waste facility, EnviRecover.

·        The Council reported emissions under 3 scopes, only two of which it had direct control over.  With the Council procuring green electricity for its buildings and street lighting, the Panel was informed that this enabled it to offset virtually all emissions associated with electricity use.

·        The Council worked with the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP) to develop its Energy Strategy and had since provided support for the Energy Strategy Steering Group and monitored progress. The Council had also developed and managed a range of projects to support the strategy including European Union (EU) funded business support programmes providing advice and grants across a range of areas, such as improving energy and water efficiency and generating renewable energy. Post EU, the Council has also been active in developing support programmes via the Community Renewal Fund, such as Zero Carbon Ready Worcestershire.

·        Progress against the Energy Strategy targets showed that the county was in line to halve its emissions by 2030 and that 13% of the county’s electricity demand was now generated from renewable sources, an increase of 8% since 2015.

Members asked a range of questions, to which the following responses were provided:

·        A Member asked for baseline information to compare the data provided in the absolute carbon emission chart in the report. The Sustainability Manager confirmed that detail would be provided within the Net Zero Plan. It was noted that the percentage for household waste disposal had slightly increased recently as a result of an increase in the number of households in the county, and also because some of the other areas on the chart had recently reduced, resulting in the percentages being altered.

·        A Member raised a query regarding funding for a peat scheme in Droitwich which had been subject to delays and difficulties. The Sustainability Manager advised that the Public Sector Efficiency Programme was still open to projects which would be completed by May 2023. This would be followed up outside of the meeting.

·        A Member referred to emissions from road surfacing, highlighting that the 3% source of carbon emissions from Ringway shown on the chart clearly did not cover such emissions. The Member referred to greener methods of laying roads and that this would be welcomed in the county. The Panel was informed that discussions were taking place with Highways as to how road surfacing emissions could be captured for the Net Zero Plan. A toolkit was also being developed with other local authorities for this purpose and reporting was expected to improve over time.

·        The Panel was provided with examples of ways in which the Council’s highways and engineering contractors were seeking to reduce their own carbon footprint including initiatives to reduce idling of vehicles and use of electric vehicles.

·        In respect of the 3 scopes under which the Council reported emissions, it was highlighted that Scope 3, relating to goods and services which the Council bought, would be the hardest to influence. The Panel felt that suppliers should be requested to have their own carbon reduction strategy so that the Council could assess their progress against their plan at the point of contract renewal. It was agreed that this suggestion would be put forward as a formal recommendation to the CMR.

·        A question was raised as to the Council’s understanding of the emissions from the lower supply chain when products were purchased from overseas. A Member suggested that obtaining a certificate confirming the details of the supply chain would be good practice. It was reported that the Procurement Team were looking at this issue in detail and trialling some new software.

·        The Panel was informed of the extent of the Council’s offsetting which was currently only through the purchasing of green electricity. Tree planting schemes in the county were currently being considered as an additional form of offsetting. The Sustainability Manager explained that the first priority continued to be cutting emissions, then where offsetting could be achieved, with economic or environmental benefit to a local area, that was the next preferred option.

·        In respect of infrastructure plans, the Assistant Director (EMPW) advised that when new bids were being submitted to the Department for the Environment (DofE), a carbon management plan had to be prepared and that this formed part of the business case which was reflected in the contract. Additionally, biodiversity plans which involved a huge amount of work, were a key requirement for inclusion in these plans, in line with the provisions of the Environment Act.

·        In response to a question, the Assistant Director (EMPW) agreed to find out when the Green Gas contract was due for renewal and the likely uplift on the cost, and report back to the Panel.

·        The Panel was advised that there were some challenges on accelerated investment in renewable energy schemes in the county, for instance, due to grid capacity, which the network provider was trying to address.

·        A question was raised about biomethane farms and work to contain methane emissions. The Panel was informed that the research for the energy strategy had captured some of this detail and there were a number of farms where gas was being generated and injected back into the network. Severn Trent and the Hill and Moor site similarly captured gas which was used to make electricity.

·        The Interim Assistant Director, Economy reported that training providers at Further Education Colleges were looking at the introduction of training on some key green skills required in the county, such as heat pumps and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) monitoring. Whilst the Colleges were looking to build in green skills across their whole curriculum over the next few years, there was little demand from students for the specific training being offered at this time.

·        A Member referred to a possible hydro-electric site which he had identified. The Sustainability Manager agreed to put the Member in touch with appropriate contacts to pursue this matter further.

·        On the generation of wind powered electricity, it was highlighted that there were a few sites within the county, although there were restrictions in terms of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A Member referred to a scheme in Europe whereby turbines were placed in central reservations of roads to capture wind. Members agreed it would be helpful to understand the possibilities for the expansion of wind power generation within the County and felt it would be useful if this information was able to be made available for interested parties.

The CMR referred to the language of sustainability and how the public could struggle with certain terms. A broader term such as ‘sustainable future’ might be an easier concept to grasp. In the new Net Zero Plan there would be a key focus on offsetting, not just with regard to the Council’s own land, but also how it could provide support more widely across the county. The CMR would like to see the Council based on a circular economy and that effort be focussed on sustainability work, working closely and collaboratively with the District Councils, towards a One Worcestershire Plan in 2023.

The Chairman thanked the CMR and Officers for the report and looked forward to future updates on this issue.