Agenda item

The Climate Change Officer provided a presentation on the Council’s approach to Carbon Reduction.

The Committee were shown figures of the Council’s own carbon emissions.  It was noted these were not comprehensive, and that Members should not focus on carbon emissions alone – this could lead to missing other important factors which would be explained.

In the weeks prior to the meeting, the Met Office had released its Local Authority Climate Service.  The service provided essential climate information to support local authorities (the Council) which was tailored to local areas (the District).  The Met Office’s aim was to provide an easy to use platform for climate risk assessments to be researched and allow local authorities to produce adaptation plans and develop climate resilience.

The current overall conclusion of this work was that summers would be hot and dry, and winters warm and wet.  The service predicted likely future rainfall, growing days for agriculture, frost days, and of note, while winters would be milder and so less energy intensive to heat homes, this would be offset by the need for more energy in summer months for processes like air conditioning.

A diagram representing direct emissions of the Council’s buildings and activities was presented to the Committee.  Missing from this diagram was fleet consumption and the milage that staff undertook to attend work.

The Arc used 70% of gas for heating – this was largely due to the leisure centre.

While Pleasley Vale Business Park used as much electricity as The Arc, electricity was increasingly becoming greener from the development and use of renewables.

The Climate Change Officer stated a full breakdown of the Council’s emissions would be provided March 2025.

Council properties produced around 1,100 tonnes of emissions per annum.  The Council’s fleet produced 600-700 tonnes, though this would need to be confirmed with the Strategic Director of Services.

In comparison to the above, 900,000 tonnes were produced by the whole District in 2022.  This was due to heavy industry and transport links (99.7% of all transport emissions was from the M1 and A38).

It was noted 300,000 tonnes was produced from one heavy industry alone – this was out of the Council’s control, but not influence (e.g., the Council could work with / lobby regional and national governments).

It was reiterated carbon intensity was being reduced from electricity generation due to the increase in solar power and windfarms.  Reducing consumption would also help reduce emissions.

The District could also help reduce emissions by increasing Biodiversity Net Gains (BNG), work to reduce poverty, and improve residents’ health and wellbeing – this was why it was important to look beyond carbon emissions alone.

The District had high levels of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and poverty.  Residents would be less resilient to climate change and more negatively impacted than healthier, wealthier areas.

Air pollutants from industry, transport, and BNG loss were all linked to quality of health.

Ecotoxicity and eutrophication were also factors that would negatively affect health.

Several Council projects were listed that would aim to address the issues above, including the Mine Water Project of Creswell and Whitwell and the local energy plan.  There had also been two bids to the East Midlands County Combined Authority (EMCCA) for the retrofit of Council and privately owned properties.

To a question on what the Council could achieve on the District’s emissions and environment, the Climate Change Officer stated it was a financial and moral obligation for the Council to do its part to mitigate climate change and improve lives.

The Council could influence 30-40% of the District’s 900,000 tonnes of emissions by working with groups like the mineral industry.

Also, focussing on the larger picture would have the lasting impact.

The Climate Change Officer was attending meetings like the Derbyshire Energy Group and Climate Change Group.  The EMCCA was also researching the worst performing areas to help address items like health and economic wellbeing.

To a question on researching other carbon reduction methods, the Climate Change Officer explained efficient, infrared electric wallpaper was being deployed by Nottingham Trent University at Pleasley Vale Business Park to research its effectiveness.

The Chair encouraged all Members and the public to share ideas with the Council and the Climate Change Officer.

A Member noted solar panels and heat pumps would have cost implications for residents.  The UK National Government had previously provided schemes and programmes to improve energy efficiency (e.g., the installation of cavity wall and loft insulation, which was a national project and had made a substantial difference).  The Member noted no large national project had taken place recently.

The Climate Change Officer explained the ECO4 scheme had received some bad press, but two bids had been submitted that would provide support to social and privately owned properties in financially disadvantaged areas.  The Council would learn the success of these bids in early 2025.

The Climate Change Officer informed that the Council’s website had been recently updated with a section on grants that residents could apply for (if eligible).

The Chair stated it was appropriate for the Committee to remain a scrutiny body of the Executive and Council and allow the Portfolio Holder for the Environment, the Assistant Director for Development and Planning, and the Climate Change Officer to develop policies and procedures.

It was reiterated that though the work of the Climate Change Officer, a baseline of the Council’s carbon emissions would be identified in March 2025, with a report expected on the Council’s governance in relation to handling climate change and targets for 2025/26.

The Committee discussed the possibility of an informal session in early 2025 with the Portfolio Holder for the Environment, the Assistant Director for Development and Planning, and the Climate Change Officer.

The Chair thanked the Climate Change Officer for the verbal presentation.