Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reporting 2023 - Carbon Emissions
Perth and Kinross Council · 27 November 2023
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 27 November 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Climate Change And Sustainability Committee 27 November 2023 PUBLIC BODIES CLIMATE CHANGE DUTIES REPORTING 2023 – CARBON EMISSIONS Report by Executive Director (Communities) (Report No. 23/329) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report provides an overview of the Council’s annual Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reporting (PPCCDR) submission. It includes an update on the Council’s carbon footprint and emissions trends for the reporting year 2022/23 along with wider actions the Council is taking to address the Climate Emergency. Based on this evidence, the report to the Scottish Government has been developed for consideration. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: i. comments on the contents of the report, along with the updated report to the Scottish Government (Appendix A) ii. notes the progress in developing benchmarking information and the need to use it to provide an evidence-based platform to inform decisions and monitor performance iii requests officers to circulate a briefing note on high carbon within PKC’s purchased goods and services once the outputs from consultants are finalised and include an action in the Climate Change Action Plan to develop a plan for addressing these areas. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background/Main Issues • Section 5: Conclusion • Appendix A: Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report
Page 2
4. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 4.1 Perth & Kinross Council, as a listed public body in Schedule 1 of the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies; Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015 as amended by the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020, is required to report annually via the Sustainable Scotland Network Report to the Scottish Government. This is required in order for Perth & Kinross Council to comply with its climate change duties as established under Section 44 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and as stated in Schedule 2 of the 2015 Order. 4.2 In addition to the above, the 2020 Amendment Order set out additional reporting requirements from 2021/22 in response to the global climate emergency and Scotland’s net zero targets, as well as the interim targets as set out in the legislation. The compliance reports must now address additional sections that include, but are not limited to, the Council’s target date for achieving zero direct emissions, how the Council will align its spending plans and use of resources to deliver its emissions reduction targets, and how the Council will publish its progress to achieving its emissions reductions targets. 4.3 As part of the approval of last year’s report (Report No. 22/282 refers) in November 2022, the Committee requested officers to develop a robust Scope 3 reporting methodology for the Council by November 2023. However, it is important to note that baselines for Scope 3 calculations vary with more categories being added. As such, it may not always be possible to recalculate baselines retrospectively. This could have an effect on trends and overall calculations. Under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol guidelines, there are 15 identified Scope 3 emissions reporting categories. Of those, the following seven were deemed relevant to PKC operations: Table 1 Scope 3 emissions categories assessed as relevant to Perth & Kinross Council Scope 3 emissions category Comment 1. Purchased goods and services New - detailed in Paragraph 4.9-4.11, but not included in the PBCCDR 2. Capital goods New - detailed in Paragraph 4.9-4.11, but not included in the PBCCDR 3. Fuel and energy related activities Included - No change to methodology from previous years 4.Waste generated in operations Included - No change to methodology from previous years 6. Business travel Included - No change to methodology from previous years 7. Employee commuting & homeworking Employee commuting – new addition this year Homeworking emissions – Changed methodology in the PBCCDR and improved data Results of the staff travel and homeworking survey were used to inform these categories 15. Investments Not included in the reporting year – Primarily associated with pension investments, which requires joint progression with other Tayside Local Authorities.
Page 3
4.4 Since the Council’s first report in the pilot year 2014/15, the Council’s carbon footprint has followed a decreasing trend until 2018/19, which has then been followed by both increases and decreases between 2019 and this reporting year. This is illustrated in Table 2. The baseline year has been set as 2015/16 as per the reporting guidance, as in 2014/15 only Scope 1 & 2 emissions were calculated. For greater clarity, the Scope 1 data has been sub-divided down to energy and transport. Scope 3 data has also been sub-divided into emissions reported to date, and employee commuting emissions that are a new addition to the Council’s footprint this year. The trend over time is shown visually in Figure 1 and by sector for 2022/23 in Figure 2. Table 2 : Perth & Kinross Council’s Carbon Footprint (tCO2e) 4.5 The scopes mentioned in the table above refer to: i. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the Council - e.g. emissions from fleet or oil-fired boilers. ii. Scope 2 emissions are from the generation of purchased electricity. iii. Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions which relate to the Council’s activities, including waste, homeworking, staff travel to/from work or emissions associated with electricity which is lost in the Transmission and Distribution system used for delivering purchased electricity. Reporting Year Scope 1 Total Scope 1 Energy Scope 1 Transport Scope 2 Scope 3 Total Scope 3 sources reported to date Scope 3 Employee Commuting Total Footprint 2015/16 (baseline) 9,033 9,033 Not reported 14,676 14,995 14,995 n/a 38,705 2016/17 8,339 8,339 Not reported 12,661 18,859 18,859 n/a 39,859 2017/18 8,593 8,593 Not reported 9,967 19,153 19,153 n/a 37,713 2018/19 10,180 7,573 2,607 5,314 20,488 20,488 n/a 35,982 2019/20 10,722 8,038 2,684 6,823 19,560 19,560 n/a 37,105 2020/21 10,163 7,830 2,333 5,106 19,337 19,337 n/a 34,605 2021/22 10,670 8,081 2,589 5,217 20,122 20,122 n/a 36,008 2022/23 9,719 7,028 2,691 4,730 25,348 19,979 5,369 39,798 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 Scope 1 Scope 2 Scope 3 Total Footprint Figure 1 Perth & Kinross Council’s Carbon Footprint (tCO2e)
Page 4
Figure 2 Perth & Kinross Council’s Carbon Footprint divided by Sector 4.6 In 2022/23, Scope 1 emissions decreased, predominantly due to a decrease in emissions arising from consumption of wood chips (biomass energy). Fleet transport emissions increased by 4% in 2022/23 compared to 2021/22. Positively, there is a decreasing trend in Scope 2 (electricity) emissions when comparing 2022/23 emissions to 2021/22, with emissions resulting from electricity continuing their downwards trajectory. 4.7 A staff travel and homeworking survey was undertaken (between 12 July 2023 – 25 September 2023) to provide an estimate of carbon emissions for Council employees when travelling to and from work over the period of a year – with 1721 respondents (approximately 30% overall staff). Respondents were asked to list their mode of transport when travelling to and from work, the distance they travel and details in relation to their mode of transport e.g. engine type and size. The responses were then analysed and scaled up to reflect the full workforce. As a result, it is estimated that Perth & Kinross Council staff emit 5,369 tonnes CO2e annually on their commutes to and from work. On average, 60% of trips to and from work weekly are made by car, while less than 10% are made by walking or cycling, and less than 5% by bus. Additionally, less than 30% of the trips made by car are ever made by carpooling. It is also worth mentioning that approximately 70% of trips made by car are made within a radius of up to 5 miles from the respondent’s work location. These results would have to be validated by further surveys to reduce errors and identify trends. 4.8 There was a small year-on-year decrease to the previously reported Scope 3 emissions categories – every sub-category had a very small year-on-year decrease. The inclusion of the staff travel results provided more detailed data in relation to emissions arising from homeworking. Together, with a change in methodology for the PBCCDR has resulted in a decrease in relation to 2021/22 (from 20,122 to 19,979 tCO2e). However, inclusion of the staff travel emissions resulted in an increase in overall Scope 3 emissions. Waste (Scope 3) 48% Energy (Scopes 1, 2 & 3) 31% Transport (Scopes 1& 3) 21% Homeworking (Scope 3) 0% PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL EMISSIONS WITHIN SCOPES 2022/23 Waste (Scope 3) Energy (Scopes 1, 2 & 3) Transport (Scopes 1& 3) Homeworking (Scope 3)
Page 5
4.9 In addition to the above, and as requested by the Committee in terms of improving the Scope 3 methodology, a consultant has analysed the Council’s procurement and finance spend data. This is to gain a better understanding of Scope 3 emissions arising from purchased goods and services and capital expenditure. 4.10 The consultant carried out an in-depth measurement of the data provided for the past three financial years (20/21, 21/22 and 22/23). The data was analysed to provide an assessment of the Council’s emissions broken down by suppliers, products, categories, and Council’s services. The consultant is currently carrying out a detailed check of the top products that will facilitate the delivery of savings, as part of the Carbon Reduction Plan. The aim of this analysis is to achieve cash and carbon savings through a more efficient use of resources along with a long-term plan to engage with suppliers in becoming more resource efficient and reducing the cost to the Council. 4.11 The results of this analysis have not been included in this reporting year as the analysis has not been finalised. A briefing note for elected members will be circulated in due course to outline findings and actions. 4.12 The ‘investments’ category would not be included in the above analysis. However, it is the intention to start collating information on this category, particularly pension investments. 4.13 Overall, although there is a decreasing trend in emissions when compared to the emissions sources reported in 2021/22, this would need to be significantly accelerated to reach the objectives set out in the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (Report No. 21/245 refers). Furthermore, although emissions associated with energy use decreased, emissions associated with transport and waste have remained relatively flat and show little to no progress. 5. CONCLUSION 5.1 Perth & Kinross Council’s carbon footprint in 2022/23 has decreased year on year when considering the emission sources that have been reported to date. However, in 2022/23 the inclusion of the staff travel emissions has resulted in an increase in reported Scope 3 emissions. As a result, the overall carbon footprint for 2022/23 seems to have increased in comparison to the previous reporting year. 5.2 In achieving Perth & Kinross Council’s climate objectives, the emissions reductions trend to date would need to be significantly accelerated to achieve the actions related to the Council operations and functions as set out in the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. However, this is highly dependent on availability of resources.
Page 6
Authors Name Designation Contact Details Eirini Kourtesi Climate Change and Sustainable Development Officer 01738 475000 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Divindy Grant Climate Change and Sustainable Development Team Leader Approved Name Designation Date Barbara Renton Executive Director (Communities) 20 November 2023 APPENDICES Appendix 1 - Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report 2022/23 Submission
Page 7
ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement Y Corporate Plan Y Resource Implications Financial N Workforce N Asset Management (land, property, IST) N Assessments Climate Change Assessment Y Strategic Environmental Assessment N Sustainable Procurement & Supply Assessment N Equality & Fairness Assessment N Child Rights & Wellbeing Assessment N Consultation Internal Y External N Communication Communications Plan N 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 The activities detailed in the report supports the delivery of Perth and Kinross Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement in terms of the following priorities: (i) Reducing poverty (ii) Physical and Mental Wellbeing (iii) Digital Participation (iv) Learning and Development (v) Employability 1.2 This report relates to (i) Reducing poverty.
Page 8
Corporate Plan 1.3 The activities detailed in the report supports the achievement of the Council’s Corporate Plan Priorities: (i) Tackling poverty (ii) Tackling climate change and supporting sustainable places (iii) Developing a resilient, stronger and greener local economy (iv) Enabling our children and young people to achieve their full potential (v) Protecting and caring for our most vulnerable people (vi) Supporting and promoting physical and mental wellbeing (vii) Working in partnership with communities 1.4 This report relates to (i) Tackling poverty, (ii) Tackling climate change and supporting sustainable places and (iii) Developing a resilient, stronger and greener local economy 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 There are no financial implications arising from the recommendations in the report. Workforce 2.2 There are no workforce implications arising from the recommendations in the report. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 Ther are no asset management implications arising from the recommendations in the report. 3. Assessments Climate change Assessment 3.1 Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, Perth & Kinross Council has a statutory duty to report on its carbon emissions. This report has no further climate change implications other than those already associated with the existing Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. Equality & Fairness Assessment 3.2 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties.
Page 9
3.3 The information contained within this report has been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment Process (EqIA) and has been assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.4 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.5 The proposals have been considered under the Act and no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. This is because the Committee are requested to note the contents of the report only and the Committee are not being requested to approve, adopt or agree to an action or to set the framework for future decisions. Sustainable Procurement & Supply Assessment 3.6 Under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, the Council has a duty to consider sustainable procurement as part of its procurement process. The Council is required to consider how in conducting the procurement process it can – (i) improve the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of the authority’s area, (ii) facilitate the involvement of small and medium enterprises, third sector bodies and supported businesses in the process, and (iii) promote innovation. 3.7 The report does not have any impacts on sustainable procurement and supply. Child Rights & Wellbeing Assessment 3.8 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was ratified by the UK Government in 1991. It sets out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all children, everywhere, are entitled to and is regarded as the global “gold standard” for children’s rights. Screening for Child Rights and Wellbeing Impacts, alongside the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) wellbeing indicators ensures that Council policies protect and promote the rights and wellbeing of children and young people. 3.9 This proposal was considered under the Council’s Impact and Value Assessment. No impacts on Child Rights and Wellbeing were identified. Legal and Governance 3.10 The Head of Legal and Governance Services has been consulted.
Page 10
4. Consultation Internal 4.1 There has been no other internal consultation. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 No background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (other than any containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to a material extent in preparing the above report.