Climate Change and Air Quality Progress Report 2023 to 2024

Our third progress report since the adoption of our Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy in 2021 contains updates on our two aims; working towards net zero across Buckinghamshire by 2050 and to improve air quality across the County. We are able to report good progress against these. Our Strategy also includes 60 separate actions which contribute to the overall delivery or our net zero future; this report includes updates on activity from across the Council.

Objective A is our stated target of reaching net zero for Council operations no later than 2050, with an interim target of a 75% reduction in emissions by 2030, compared to our 1990 baseline. Due to our decision to procure electricity on a 100% renewable basis for two years from October 2022, net emissions in line with our reporting methodology are down to 4,476 tCO2e for the reporting period (April 2023 to March 2024). This represents a 78.2% reduction against our 1990 baseline. In the first four years of our seven year carbon budget, we have used 47.1% of the total. On a county wide basis, where emissions are reported by the Office for National Statistics one year in arrears, the data for 2022-23 showed a moderate increase over 2021/22. The effects of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and other global events such as the war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis are still visible in the data. We continue to monitor local trends as emissions stabilise. The long term trend since 2005 remains unchanged at a steady decrease in area based emissions.

Objective B from our Strategy relates to pursuing improved air quality across the County. Following a continued trend of reduced pollutant levels in some of our Air Quality Management Areas we have now formally begun the process of revoking the designation for four of our nine AQMAs. This is the result of consistent efforts by the Council and affected communities over many years.

Since adoption of the Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy, 7 interdepartmental groups work to oversee and co-ordinate efforts. This year’s report includes a summary of each of their activities. For the first time, we are including emissions associated with water in our emissions reporting as we seek to capture relevant scope 3 emissions where practicable. The Council Land Tree Planting Programme is now in its fourth year, with over 192,000 trees planted and as many as five new woodlands to be established this planting season. The Council continues to roll out carbon literacy training and have delivered out first in-house training this year, with our total of accredited officers now above 50.

The de-carbonisation of the Council’s estate is fundamental part of our journey to net zero which brings many co-benefits; reduced energy consumption also delivers value for money by bringing bills down, while improved insulation also leads to greater comfort and wellbeing for users of our services. This year’s project to install solar PV and battery storage across four of our sites has been a huge success with the panels installed in time for the summer. The electrification of our own fleet proceeds, with a new EV in operation at Black Park Country Park and our Highways Team taking delivery of 6 new electric vehicles. Communities have again been at the forefront of our tree planting, participating in our third successful application to the Local Authorities Treescapes Fund which saw over £264,000 awarded to community based tree planting projects. Buckinghamshire Council has again come second in the Modeshift STARS league table, with 72 accredited schools across the County. Climate change is also a consideration in our procurement, with the recent award of a contract for leisure centre management including relevant goals such as having environmental plans for all sites and including the role of Energy Champions to lead efforts to reduce energy consumption.

Looking to the future, the Council are working on a new Bucks-wide Local Travel Plan and a new Bucks Local Plan, both of which have clear commitments to sustainability and the mitigation of climate change. Indeed we have recently consulted on our draft proposals for a Local Walking & Infrastructure Plan. We have four separate initiatives to help residents with their energy bills; the Home Upgrade Grant 2, Energy Doctor scheme and the DEBEE grant all offer no cost upgrades and advice to reduce energy bills and their associated emissions. While the second round of Solar Together has seen almost 600 residents accept offers for solar PV on their rooftops to reduce their own energy bills.

We also work tirelessly to promote sustainable choices both among our staff, through internal emails and campaigns, for all residents through for example the BetterPoints Bucks App and through social media campaigns that we run regularly throughout the year.