Climate Change and Air Quality Progress Report 2022 to 2023

July 2023 saw extreme heat in North America, Europe and China, which research suggests would have been extremely unlikely without climate change. In the UK, the Met Office report that the top 10 warmest years since 1884 have occurred since 2002.

Our second progress report since the adoption of our Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy in 2021, comes at a time when the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent in our local and global climatic systems. In light of these events, it is important to recognise the significant progress that the Council have made against the aims, objectives and actions set out within the strategy.

Annual reported emissions from the Council’s own operations of 5,401 tCO2e show a reduction of 73.4% against our 1990 baseline. This is already close, in 2023, to achieving our target of a 75% reduction by 2030. On a county wide basis, where emissions are reported by the Office for National Statistics one year in arrears, the data for 2021-22 showed an increase over 2020/21 as the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and relaxing of restrictions led to an uptick in economic activity. We will monitor the short term trend as emissions stabilise following the pandemic. It is important to observe that the long term trend from 2005 is for a steady decrease in area based emissions.

This year, the report highlights five key themes within our societal journey towards net zero carbon emissions. The Energy Transition will see our economy move from a centralised, fossil based energy system to a distributed system based upon renewable and low carbon sources of energy. Solar PV, whether at large scale or rooftop generation is one example of this. The Solar Together scheme has seen the equivalent of 2.1 MW of generating capacity installed across Bucks; reducing emissions and bills while also improving local resilience and energy security.

The de-carbonisation of transport is another area of focus for the Council, with our first refuse collection vehicle electrification project underway and anticipated to start operations in December. The newly electrified vehicle will reduce emissions of carbon and particulates on its route in Aylesbury. Our commitment to active travel has seen the completion of the new Platinum Park Way and a host of projects have seen the successful trial of alternative modes of transport such as e-scooters, e-bikes and the pick me up bus service for High Wycombe.

Our commitment to a sustainable built environment is being demonstrated through sustainable policies in planning such as the requirement in the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan for new development in Aylesbury to source 10% of their energy from renewable sources. The Sustainable Warmth Scheme, aimed at retrofitting poorly insulated households in low-income areas has resulted in 203 properties in Buckinghamshire receiving energy efficiency measures and is forecast to save over 250 tonnes of CO2 per year.

As a Council, community is at the heart of our work and this is true of our climate change focussed activities. Recognising the importance of stakeholder based solutions to climate change the Climate Response Team have attended 21 events, including speaking at 5, and facilitated 12 community tree planting volunteer days. We have also met with 35 climate and environmental community groups to understand their ambitions and how we can support and empower communities to make local progress toward net zero.

One of the most significant areas of progress has been in the area of nature based solutions to climate change with the planting of over 145,000 trees across Buckinghamshire. A large new woodland has been created in Wing which will eventually include over 130,000 trees. There will be further planting at Wing this autumn to include volunteering opportunities and the creation of a community orchard. Two new woodlands were planted in Hazlemere and Amersham with over 14,000 trees planted at both sites. Community based tree planting has also been undertaken across Bucks, including welcoming our first two “Tiny Forests” at Princes Risborough Combined School and Bourton Park in Buckingham.