Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder, Climate Action, was unable to attend the meeting but had submitted a written statement which was read out by the Democratic Services Officer.

The statement included the following points:

·        2024 is the final year of the original Climate Change Strategy,

·        The Climate Change Team had been reviewing the strategy for 2025 onwards to ensure that the related Action Plan would deliver the required carbon reductions,

·        The Carbon Descent Plan [attached to the report] had been produced in partnership with the South West Energy and Environment Group (SWEEG) and provides a theoretical road map to reduce carbon emissions by 2040,

·        SWEEG met with all EDDC services in 2024 and this work is integral to the on-going review of both the Strategy and the Action Plan,

·        79% of EDDC emissions relate to 2 areas:  the Council’s housing stock and procurement,

·        Comparisons with other authorities can be misleading: some councils fail to include scope 3 emissions in their calculations.  The report noted that removing scope 3 emissions would show an approximate reduction of 20% from 2018 – 2024, however, the result would be disingenuous and, therefore, this approach had not been adopted by EDDC,

·        Table 1 of the report summarises delivery to date and the Portfolio Holder was pleased to note that 67% had either been completed, or was on-going.  No actions had been assessed as not achieved and 10% were no longer relevant,

·        Section 4 of the report highlighted significant achievements during the plan period and the Climate Change Officer and services were thanked for their work in delivering such a wide range of results,

·        The recruitment of a Climate Change Manager was welcome as all services continue to implement the changes needed to move towards the Council’s net zero goal.

The Assistant Director, Environmental Health, introduced the report which provided a review of the Climate Change Action Plan 2020 – 2040 and looked at actions achieved and impact on carbon emissions.  Key points covered in the presentation included:

·        The current position with regard to carbon emissions between the years 2020/21 and 2023/24, showing an increase in emissions arising from procurement.  It was noted that carbon emissions are allocated to procurement solely based on cost,

·        Carbon footprint excluding social housing and scope 3 emissions,

·        A review of the 82 actions in the Action Plan,

·        An explanation of the Carbon Descent Plan carried out with SWEEG at the end of 2023, which is the basis of the new draft strategy and will underpin the next Action Plan,

·        The findings of and actions arising from the Carbon Descent Plan,

·        The theoretical carbon descent, should all the measures in the Carbon Descent Plan be implemented,

·        Key achievements across the Council’s services,

·        Lessons learnt including the fact that carbon reduction has been inconsistent despite the Action Plan being followed and, most notably, that SMART targets had not previously been set,

·        Moving forward SMART targets would be set alongside annual reporting to the Scrutiny Committee.

In response to a question from a Councillor unable to attend, the Assistant Director, Environmental Health, confirmed that, going forwards, Members could be involved directly in working with SWEEG.

Responses to Members’ questions, and discussion, included the following points:

·        Regarding establishing the carbon footprint of the Council’s housing stock, the Council does not collect data from residents, but uses industry standard data, accessed by SWEEG, on which to base assumptions as to energy usage,

·        It was noted that the calculation of carbon footprint for procurement is based on cost and that this is a blunt measurement tool, however, the calculations are adjusted for inflation,

·        Setting up a scheme to sell credits is expensive and complex and it takes a long time before credits have any value.  This could be considered again at a future date,

·        Properties were chosen for decarbonisation based on the least efficient and costly properties to be dealt with first.  A mix of measures was used including air source heat pumps, solar panels, replacement doors and windows,

·        The private sector housing team carries out extensive outreach work to provide advice to residents, advice is also available on the website and through Exeter Community Energy,

·        It will be important to provide accurate year on year comparisons going forward as measurement of emissions, such as through procurement, becomes more sophisticated and accurate,

·        Additional EV chargers are to be installed at Blackdown House and on-street for those residents who do not have a driveway,

·        Concern was expressed as to the need to spend money in the best way to decarbonise Council housing stock,

·        There was a request for a Portfolio team to fully discuss and consider climate change issues in greater depth outside of formal Committee meetings,

·        Members would welcome greater involvement with SWEEG,

·        It would not be possible legally to insist that Council tenants source their energy from green suppliers,

·        Council tenants could be encouraged to provide information as to the benefits they are experiencing following decarbonisation of their properties and information and advice could be shared with tenants regarding green energy suppliers and any cost savings available,

·        It was noted that it is difficult to quantify the impact on carbon reduction by planting more trees due to the many variables involved, however, the Climate Change Officer would speak to SWEEG with regard to the data available,

·        It is important to know the size of the tree canopy rather than the number of new trees planted in order to know whether green spaces are being properly protected and maintained and this is being addressed in the new Tree Strategy,

·        Concern was expressed that easy to achieve measures are not being implemented,

·        Installation of smart meters in Council properties would assist the resident and the Council at no cost to EDDC, although it was noted that smart meters can prove to be contentious, in part due to misinformation,

·        Concern was expressed that trees planted on new developments are not properly protected and so are less likely to survive,

·        It was noted that the calculation of carbon counting is very complex where 3^rd party suppliers or contractors are involved,

·        Enforcement of rain water harvesting could be considered as part of the Local Plan process,

·        There was concern that reports to Cabinet do not quantify climate change impacts and only state whether the risk is medium or high, but without detailing the risk,

Members were requested to email any further questions or ideas to the Assistant Director, Environmental Health.

It was agreed:

1.     That the Scrutiny Committee note the progress made in achieving the actions specified in the Climate Change Action Plan 2020 – 2040.

2.     That the Scrutiny Committee note the lessons learnt and how these can be applied to the development of the next Climate Change Action Plan.

3.     To request that all Members be included in the development of the Climate Change Strategy going forward and that SWEEG be brought in to provide technical information and expertise to assist Members.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

1.     That Cabinet note the progress made in achieving the actions specified in the Climate Change Action Plan 2020 – 2040.

2.     That Cabinet consider the lessons learnt and how these can be applied to the development of the next Climate Change Action Plan.

3.     That all Members be included in the development of the Climate Change Strategy going forward and that SWEEG be brought in to provide technical information and expertise to assist Members.