Agenda item

The consider the Council’s Carbon Footprint for 2022/23 as the main indicator of progress against the Council’s Net Zero Action Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Net Zero, Councillor Varley, presented a report on the progress being made against the Net Zero Action Plan which accompanies the Council’s Net Zero Strategy.

Cllr Varley reminded the Committee that the Council had declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and took a benchmark figure for the Council’s carbon footprint in 2019/20. The trajectory for reducing the carbon emissions was moving in the right direction with the rate of reduction exceeding the expected profile.

Cllr Varley added that there had been an increase in carbon emissions in 2022/23 but this was largely due to the construction of the Reef Leisure Centre in Sheringham. The Council was now taking significant steps to reduce the impact that leisure centres were having on the Council’s carbon footprint.

Cllr Varley in response to Cllr Dixon’s question advised that the interventions made for the Solar Car Port at the Reef and the insulation added at the Cromer Offices will be quantified and will seek to make both buildings more energy efficient and sustainable. The data showing how successful they have been will be available in next year’s report.

The Climate and Environmental Policy Manager confirmed in response to Cllr Dixon’s question that the Council was looking at internal Carbon Pricing models used by other local authorities to introduce decision wheels to help inform the cabinet of the environmental consequences of its decisions. It was expected that this could take 3 to 6 months to be fully implemented.

Cllr Varley in response to Cllr Dixon’s question stated that the Net Zero Strategy covered the years 22/23 and 23/34 and the work on reviewing it was now happening.

Cllr Varley replied to Cllr Penfold’s question by stating that the data for carbon emissions would vary and there would be years when it would go up and years when it would go down and he was comfortable with the overall direction but there was a long way to go to reach the net zero target.

The Climate and Environmental Policy Manager confirmed in response to Cllr Penfold’s question that there were other greenhouse gases included with the council’s emissions calculation.

Cllr Varley in response to Cllr Holliday’s questions stated that the Council’s £500K reserve was for a carbon busting project which could have a significant impact on the reduction of emissions. It was important to reduce carbon emissions through driving down vehicle usage, the Council has 46 electric charging points and was looking to roll out more in the future.

The Climate and Environmental Policy Manager confirmed in response to Cllr Fletcher’s question that the Local Government Association model that the Council followed did not allow the carbon benefits of the Council’s existing natural assets to be included in its overall footprint calculation. It will be though something that the Council will need to consider in the future.

Cllr Varley in response to Cllr Hankin’s questions agreed to provide a written response to the committee on the process that has been taken with the contractor to ensure that the upcoming changes to the waste contract rounds would reduce the overall carbon emissions.

Cllr Varley in response to Cllr Withington’s question agreed to provide a written response on the update of the salary sacrifice scheme to use electric vehicles.

Cllr Varley in response to Cllr Dixon’s question stated that there was a net zero target for the Council of 2030 and for the whole of North Norfolk it was 2045. For the whole district the council was already showcasing and signposting various grants for insulation and retrofitting as well as working with local businesses.

Cllr Varley in response to Cllr Dixon’s question felt that climate change needed to be at the forefront of the council’s decision-making process and then the need to strive to reach net zero was fundamental.

The Assistant Director Sustainable Growth reminded the committee in response to Cllr Dixon’s question that the Council’s Environmental Charter set out three Chapters – dealing with the Council’s own emissions; acting as a community leader to reduce emissions outside of the council and holding events to encourage people to reducing their own emissions.

Cllr Varley stated that he was happy to consider Councillor’s Dixon’s suggestion about what further work the Council can do to promote carbon footprint reductions to business, the public to better prepare for the adverse effects of climate change locally but it was the collective responsibility of everyone on the council to ensure that reductions are made.

Cllr Holliday proposed and it was seconded by Cllr Cushing that all reports include a section on net zero impact so that a change in the carbon footprint is highlighted and explained.

Resolved – that (A) the progress towards and the challenges of the Council’s Net Zero target is noted,

(B) the planned projects and interventions for 2024/25 to help reduce the Council’s carbon footprint and wider district emissions be welcomed, and

(C) all reports to the Council’s decision-making bodies should include a section on net zero impact so that a change in the carbon footprint is highlighted and explained.