Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Full Report
Renfrewshire Council · 7 November 2023
Back to Planning and Climate Change Policy Board — 7 November 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Planning and Climate Change Policy Board On: 7 November 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reporting 2022-23 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 committed Scotland to become net zero by 2045, with the Public Bodies Climate Change Reporting Duties placing a legal requirement on public bodies to set target dates for zero direct emissions and indirect emission reductions; report on how spending and resource will contribute to these targets; and report on the body’s contribution to Scotland’s Climate Change Adaptation Programme. 1.2 To comply with the requirements 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, Renfrewshire Council is required to prepare an Annual Report detailing progress in mitigation and adaptation to climate change. 1.3 Reporting year 2022-23 outlines total emissions for Renfrewshire Council were 19,513.69tCO2e – a decrease of 4,050tCO2e from 2021-22 (a 17.2% reduction). There was a reduction in both scope 2 and scope 3 emissions from the previous year, but an increase in scope 1 emissions as outlined in Section 4.8 below. The total emissions for 2022-23 was made up of 11,879.35tCO2e of scope 1 emissions; 5,112.76tCO2e of scope 2 emissions; and 2,521.58tCO2e of scope 3 emissions. 1.4 Overall, Renfrewshire Council’s total annual emissions have reduced by 34,015tCO2e since the baseline year of 2012-13 – a reduction of 63.6%. 1.5 The Council’s climate change report for 2022-23 is due to be submitted to the Scottish Government by 30 November 2023 and is a statutory requirement for all public bodies.
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1.6 Renfrewshire Council’s Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report for 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 is attached as Appendix 1 for approval by Board members, outlining details on the Council’s emissions; activities, plans and strategies undertaken in 2022-23 in relation to climate change and adaptation; and priorities for the year ahead in relation to climate action. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board: • Approves the content of Renfrewshire Council’s Public Bodies Climate Change Duties report for 2022-23 as appended to this report, and • Notes this will be submitted to Scottish Government by 30 November 2023 deadline. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 committed Scotland to net zero by 2045, with the Public Bodies Climate Change Reporting Duties placing a legal requirement on public bodies to set target dates for zero direct emissions and indirect emission reductions; report on how spending and resource will contribute to these targets; and report on the body’s contribution to Scotland’s Climate Change Adaptation Programme. 3.2 All 32 local authorities in Scotland are signed up to Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration, acknowledging the importance of climate change and the key role Scottish local authorities play in helping to tackle the challenges of climate change. Signatories are committed to: • Providing leadership on climate change, • reducing the local authorities’ own greenhouse gas emissions from their estate, services and operations and taking action to reduce emissions from the local authority area as a whole, • assessing the risks of climate change and working with others to take the steps to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of a changing climate, and • developing effective partnerships with communities and stakeholders to respond to climate change. 3.3 To comply with the requirements of the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015 as amended, Renfrewshire Council is required to prepare an Annual Report detailing progress in helping to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Detailed information about the Council’s emissions is submitted annually to the Scottish Government through the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report.
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3.4 The Scottish Government developed the reporting framework to assist in providing accurate and consistent performance information across all public organisations. It provides an important mechanism for the public sector to lead by example in addressing climate change, but also a mechanism to inform the future direction and development of policy, legislation, funding and support services. 3.5 The Council’s climate change report for 2022-23 is due to be submitted by 30 November 2023 and is a statutory requirement of all public bodies. The Report is intended to assist with monitoring Public Bodies Duties compliance and encourage continuous improvement. 3.6 Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero Plan aligns with the updated statutory public bodies reporting requirements. The Plan outlines the strategic direction in Renfrewshire and highlights the importance of working together across the Council and beyond to ensure projects, programmes and approaches complement each other; optimise expertise and experience; and maximise resources while closely aligning with our Council and Community Plans, and national and local policies and strategies. 3.7 Targets within Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero which are relevant to Public Bodies Climate Change Duties are outlined in the report in line with reporting requirements. 4. Renfrewshire Council’s Annual Report 2022-23: Key Highlights Corporate Emissions, Targets and Project Data 4.1 In the reporting year running from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023 the total emissions for Renfrewshire Council for 2022-23 were 19,513.69tCO2e – a decrease of 4,050tCO2e (a 17.2% reduction) compared with 2021-22. The total emissions for 2022-23 was made up of 11,879.35tCO2e of scope 1 emissions; 5,112.76tCO2e of scope 2 emissions; and 2,521.58tCO2e of scope 3 emissions. 4.2 Overall, Renfrewshire Council’s total annual emissions have reduced by 34,015tCO2e – a reduction of 63.6% - when comparing the baseline year of 2012-13 with 2022-23. 4.3 Scope 1 emissions are from sources owned or controlled by the Council (e.g. natural gas use; petrol and diesel in Council fleet); Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased electricity (including electricity for buildings, streetlights, CCTV and electric vehicle fleet); and Scope 3 emissions are those emissions that we are indirectly responsible for as a consequence of our activities but sources are not owned or controlled by the organisation (e.g. business travel, electricity transmission and distribution losses and household and waste collection and disposal). 4.4 The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on Council operations; service delivery; and ways of working across the Council, as well as impacting the behaviour of households and businesses during 2020-21 and 2021-22. This disruptive impact has made it difficult to compare values across years in some cases.
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4.5 2022-23 has seen reduced disruption from the impacts of the pandemic in relation to service delivery, although impacts on emissions can still be seen, for example around 27% of the FTE workforce operating hybrid working arrangements. 2022-23 is only the second year that homeworking emissions have been included and there has been a refinement to the methodology in the calculation, placing a higher emissions factor on this activity compared with last year, to ensure alignment with the UK WFH (working from home) emissions factor. 4.6 With the return of staff to buildings on multiple days per week, emissions for home working showed a slight decrease from 2021-22, but there was an increase in consumption in other related areas, such as an increase in gas consumption in public buildings compared with the previous year. 4.7 Of the 28 sources of emissions featured in the report, Renfrewshire Council saw a decrease in emissions in 23 sources, with an increase in only 4 – natural gas, diesel, LPG and glass recycling. 3 of these 4 areas of increase (comparing with 2021-22) were in the Council’s Scope 1 emissions. Scope 1 Emissions: 4.8 There was a 3.1% increase in natural gas consumption compared with 2021-22. This may be due to a couple of key factors – staff returning to buildings and so an increased base heating requirement; as well as the impact of the prolonged spell of low temperatures in December 2022, where an Arctic Maritime airmass brought hard frosts and daytime temperatures struggled to rise above freezing for 10 days. The gas use will continue to be monitored at building level to identify potential areas to improve efficiency and enable reductions. 4.9 2022-23 saw a slight increase in litres of diesel consumed alongside an increase in emission factor for diesel (but a decrease in litres of petrol consumed). This led to an increase of 180.76tCO2e emissions diesel (a 6% increase) and a decrease of 2.06tCO2e emissions petrol (a 2.5% decrease). Again, this area of increase will be closely monitored to monitor the factors influencing this and potential to enable reductions. 4.10 LPG saw an increase in 2022-23 compared with 2021-22 (where 2021-22 had seen a significant decrease). However, this is from a very low base (626 litres used in 2022- 23 compared with 384 litres in 2021-22) and is a 35% decrease on the 2020-21 figure of 960 litres. The increased emissions in 2022-23 as a result of LPG was 0.37tCO2e in the context of a total reduction of 4,050tCO2e across all Council emissions. 4.11 Gas oil consumption in 2022-23 was around 1/3 of the previous year’s use and saw a reduction in emissions of 181.65 tCO2e in 2022-23. 4.12 The increase in natural gas emissions of 239.42 tCO2e; diesel emissions of 180.76tCO2e; and LPG emissions of 0.37tCO2e, alongside slight decreases in petrol consumption (2.06 tCO2e) and a decrease in gas oil emissions of 181.65 tCO2e resulted in an overall increase in scope 1 emissions of 236.95tCO2e in 2022-23 compared with 2021-22 (a 2% increase).
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Scope 2 Emissions 4.13 Although grid electricity consumption rose by 3.4% (from 25,451,513kWh in 2021-22 to 26,438,941kWh in 2022-23), scope 2 emissions fell by 291.34tCO2e in 2022-23 compared with 2021-22 due to the increased decarbonisation of the grid (a 5.7% decrease). The electricity consumption increase compared with the previous year again appears to be linked with staff returning to buildings, but is likely to also be linked to increased electric vehicle charging across the public estate. In addition, the AMIDS district heating site is now operational and the electricity figure also includes the increased load as a result of this. Areas of increase will be monitored to identify potential energy efficiency improvement and potential for reduction in consumption. Scope 3 Emissions 4.14 In 2022-23, scope 3 emissions fell by 3,996.52tCO2e in comparison with 2021-22 (a 61.3% decrease). There was a decrease across all Scope 3 reporting areas, with the exception of glass recycling. The increase in tonnages of glass being recycled leads to an increase in emissions – recycling has fewer emissions than sending waste to landfill, but there are still emissions associated with recycling waste and so increases in levels of recycling leads to an increase in emissions for these reporting categories. There were also significant decreases in municipal and commercial and industrial waste to landfill compared with 2021-22. Adaptation 4.15 Renfrewshire Council has a proactive approach to managing current and future risks associated with climate change. Climate related risks and vulnerabilities are recorded in the Corporate Risk Register as well as being reflected within the relevant service plans. 4.16 The Council has a range of adaptation strategies and action plans outlined within the Public Bodies report and adaptation projects in 2022-23 have included: • 13 delivered biodiversity area sites following consultation, using species-rich grassland and semi-natural woodland to sequester carbon; • working with partners on bringing to design stage peatland restoration at West Tandlemuir Farm in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park; and • exploring the feasibility of restoring the Candren Burn catchment in Ferguslie Park, in partnership with SEPA and the Green Action Trust. Procurement 4.17 Renfrewshire Council as a contracting authority has developed a range of policies and strategies to ensure compliance with the sustainable procurement duty under section 8 (2) of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015. The Sustainable Procurement Strategy (approved on 8 June 2016 by the Procurement Sub Committee) aligns to statutory requirements as well as the key strategic priorities of the Council.
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4.18 The Council’s Corporate Procurement Strategy aligns to the Council’s aspiration to contribute to reducing our impact on climate change to make Renfrewshire's economy and communities as sustainable as possible. Our policies take account of the recognition that public procurement in Scotland can drive change and build responsible supply chains, helping to tackle the climate emergency, reduce emissions, minimise waste and allow for re-use or recycling wherever appropriate. 4.19 In order to ensure that Suppliers are fully aware of the commitment to climate change duties, clear instructions and clauses are incorporated in the Invitation to Tender documents. 5. Next Steps 5.1 Following approval, Renfrewshire Council’s annual Public Bodies Climate Change Duties report for 2022-23 will be submitted to the Scottish Government ahead of the 30th of November 2023 deadline as per statutory requirements. 5.2 Regular updates will be provided to the Board on the further development of the Plan for Net Zero and its ongoing implementation as we progress the delivery phase of the Plan. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none. 3. Community/Council Planning – the report details a range of activities which reflect the refreshed community planning themes and also the new Council Plan 2022-2027. 4. Legal - none. 5. Property/Assets – section 3 within the report in Appendix 1 details carbon emissions related to the Council estate. 6. Information Technology – none. 7. Equality and Human Rights - the Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety – none. 9. Procurement – sections 4.17 – 4.19 highlight the important role of sustainable procurement practice in helping to meet the organisation’s climate ambitions and this is further evidenced in the appendix under section 5. 10. Risk – as noted in section 4.15, climate related risks and vulnerabilities are recorded in the Corporate Risk Register as well as being reflected within the relevant service plans.
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11. Privacy Impact – none. 12. COSLA Policy Position – this work aligns with COSLA’s current work alongside the Scottish Government in response to the climate emergency. 13. Climate Risk – this report details progress made by Renfrewshire Council in response to the climate emergency during 2022-23. Appendix 1: Renfrewshire Council Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report 2022-23 ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: None Author: Roz Smith, 01414871545
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Public Bodies Climate Change Duties (2022-23): Renfrewshire Council
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PART 1: PROFILE OF REPORTING BODY 1(a) Name of reporting body Renfrewshire Council 1(b) Type of body Local Government 1(c) Highest number of full-time equivalent staff in the body during the report year 6,500 1(d) Metrics used by body: Metric Units Value Population size served Population 183,800 1(e) Overall budget of the body: Specify approximate £/annum for the report year. Budget Budget Comments £505,934,000 Unaudited Accounts 1(f) Report type: Specify the report year type Report Type Report Year Comments Financial 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023 1(g) Context: Provide a summary of the body's nature and functions that are relevant to climate change reporting. The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 committed Scotland to become net zero by 2045, with the Public Bodies Climate Change Reporting Duties placing a legal requirement on public bodies to set target dates for zero direct emissions and indirect emission reductions; report on how spending and resource will contribute to these targets; and report on the body’s contribution to Scotland’s Climate Change Adaptation Programme. The climate change report submitted in November 2023 for 2022/23 will be the ninth mandatory submission by Renfrewshire Council, as required by public bodies. Renfrewshire Council recognises the importance of leadership in the response to the climate emergency. The Council is a large employer in the area and owns a large number of assets – made up of land and a large property portfolio, including around 12,500 housing stock – and the Local Authority area has a rising population. While the emissions baselining work that was carried out in 2021-22 highlighted that the Council makes up only 2.5% of the area’s total emissions, we recognise that as a local authority we can influence emissions in areas including planning, buildings, housing, education, energy, transport and waste. It is estimated that local authorities can influence around 33% of an area’s emissions through sectors that are directly shaped by local authority practice, policy or partnerships. Renfrewshire Council provides a range of high quality public services that are relevant to climate change reporting. Policy decisions made by the Council have the ability to build resilience against the impacts of climate change across the whole area through adaptation as well as shaping Renfrewshire’s future emissions reductions on our journey to net zero through mitigation, with work programmes including: publication of our Plan for Net Zero, outlining how we will work towards net zero by 2030 and how the Council will lead and enable a just transition under 5 themes (clean energy; sustainable transport; circular economy; connected communities; and resilient place) investing £1M in our Climate Change Action Fund to support innovative climate projects and initiatives across Renfrewshire which build on transformative projects that the Council have already delivered across our operations and which can be replicated across the area working with our local communities, community planning partners and stakeholders to prioritise climate action based on local needs, identify barriers to taking action in order to find solutions; and identify opportunities for partnership working planning policies and guidance that strategically sets out how the Renfrewshire area will be developed in the future and ensuring people can easily access goods, services and social connections easily (e.g. development of 20 minute neighbourhoods) and building standards inspections to ensure regulations are being adhered to
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local housing strategy and strategic housing investment plan to ensure energy efficient housing and affordable warm homes, met increasingly by renewable heat and power local transport strategy including development of active travel networks to increase walking, wheeling and cycling; working with public transport partners to enhance public transport provision; and implementing low carbon infrastructure including electric vehicle charging infrastructure to assist the modal shift to low carbon vehicles a comprehensive waste and recycling collection service for residential and commercial customers to enable increased recycling and initiatives to divert waste from landfill and increase reuse and recovery large-scale investment in demonstrator projects, e.g. AMIDS district heating network, providing low carbon heating to local businesses at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) a strategic review of all the buildings we own to ensure more efficient use: minimising energy consumption; reducing energy waste; and maximising energy efficiency investing in energy programmes across our assets, e.g. LED streetlight conversion; solar PV and biomass systems; and energy efficiency programmes low carbon travel opportunities for staff, including an EV fleet replacement programme of pool cars and light vans and a cycle to work scheme to encourage active travel increasing biodiversity, reforestation and natural flood management across the area In addition to our climate change duties, Renfrewshire Council has made clear commitments to climate action across the 5 themes of the Plan for Net Zero, which embeds climate change within organisational decision making. We have carried out extensive stakeholder engagement to ensure everyone can be involved in the design and delivery of the Plan for Net Zero, with a commitment from the Council to lead by example and to publish results annually in order to increase accountability and transparency; and raise awareness to make it easier for the public to track progress and monitor the actions Renfrewshire Council is taking to reduce emissions and the impacts of these actions, as part of Renfrewshire’s collective journey to net zero.
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PART 2: GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY Governance and Management 2(a) How is climate change governed in the body? Council and Boards April 2022 to March 2023 The Council’s agreed framework for decision making and policy development is based on a series of Policy Boards. In addition to Full Council; Leadership Board; Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board; Regulatory Functions Board; and Cross Party Sounding Board, the Council also operates the following thematic policy boards that reflect policy priorities rather than Council service structures. The policy boards during 2022/23 were: Communities & Housing Policy Board Economy and Regeneration Policy Board Education and Children’s Services Policy Board Emergencies Board Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board Investment Review Board Planning and Climate Change Policy Board Each of these Policy Boards has initiatives and strategies that contribute to the Council’s target of working towards net zero by 2030. A Climate Change Sub-Committee was established following the Council’s climate emergency declaration to take forward climate action, chaired by the Leader of the Council and including representation from all political parties. Following the May 2022 local government elections, the remit for climate change moved under a newly created Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, reflecting the administration’s focus on this key area. Key Partnerships April 2022 to March 2023 In addition to the Council's policy boards, the Councils in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley area work together with the City Region to prepare the Regional Spatial Strategy; and the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board assumes responsibility for the planning and delivery of integrated services. Renfrewshire Council also works closely with Community Planning Partners to bring together the collective talents and resources of public services and communities to drive positive change on local priorities. It focuses on where partners’ collective efforts and resources can add most value for local communities, with a particular focus on reducing inequalities. Renfrewshire Council is part of the largest collaboration of a joint waste processing facility in Scotland, as part of the Clyde Valley Residual Waste Project (partnering with North Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire Councils), with contractual responsibilities for residual waste tonnages and energy from waste built in as part of this project. As part of Climate Ready Clyde, we work collaboratively in partnership with 13 member organisations to create a shared vision, producing Glasgow City Region’s Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan which will build a more resilient, prosperous and just Glasgow City Region. Renfrewshire is part of the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, the largest of Scotland's seven regional transport partnerships.
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2(b) How is climate change action managed and embedded in the body? Renfrewshire Council has developed strong governance to lead by example and take action to tackle climate change. The Planning and Climate Change Policy Board remit includes matters relative to Climate Change; Building Standards; Development Management; Development Planning; Planning and the Strategic Development Plan. The Board provides oversight and scrutiny of the Council’s response to the climate emergency and specifically the progress being made towards net zero carbon emissions for both the Council as an organisation and the Renfrewshire area as a whole. The Council's Corporate Management Team (CMT) is comprised of senior staff from all service areas and meets on a weekly basis. Although matters relating to climate change adaptation and mitigation are not the sole focus of this group, operations, projects, programmes, policies and strategies from across the collective areas of responsibility contribute to the Council's overall emissions and performance in relation to the Council Plan; Community Plan; and the Plan for Net Zero are considered by the CMT. Baselining and monitoring of emissions (for both the Council as an organisation and the Renfrewshire area as a whole) and the contributions across service areas to emissions reductions are also considered at CMT, alongside the financial implications. Specific officers whose remit includes climate change adaptation and mitigation are outlined below. In reporting year 2022-23, the Council's Head of Policy and Commissioning was the main strategic lead for the Council's response to the climate emergency. With the Council’s focus on the response to the climate emergency, a restructure led to the creation of a Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads in February 2023 with responsibility for driving progress going forward. A Climate Emergency Lead Officer started in post within the Chief Executive's service in September 2021 to coordinate the Council's overall strategic climate programme and develop Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero. Additional roles which focus on environmental issues include: a Green Economy Officer (who sits in the Economy and Development team within the Chief Executive's service) with a focus on developing the response to the climate emergency from an economic development point of view and helping Renfrewshire’s businesses develop a just transition to greener ways of working a Tree and Woodland Officer to support woodland management across Renfrewshire a Biodiversity Officer to support and enhance biodiversity, nature and wildflower habitats, supporting the Council's commitment to the Edinburgh Declaration on Biodiversity a Transport Infrastructure Officer, with a focus on active travel projects a dedicated Climate Emergency Advisor within the Council’s procurement team, ensuring sustainable procurement practice is embedded in the procurement team and across services to guide all future activities and exploring opportunities for procurement to support with the delivery of our climate goals and our community wealth building aspirations for our local economy, and working with internal stakeholders and colleagues in the wider public sector to help establish a clear framework for monitoring progress and for managing contracts to demonstrate the delivery of our sustainability outcomes in September 2023, a Climate and Public Protection Manager was appointed – this is outwith this reporting year, but shows the commitment of the Council to progress in this area in the years ahead The climate emergency is included in the Council’s Risk Register with a Risk Owner allocated (with both Likelihood and Impact combining to give a High risk score evaluation). The Risk Statement, Controls and Actions are all monitored at each Board cycle. Carbon Literacy training has started to be rolled out, with the initial cohorts of Council officers completing the Carbon Literacy Project training, as well as a session for Elected Members, and future cohorts to be rolled out.
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Strategy 2(c) Does the body have specific climate change adaptation objectives in its corporate plan or similar document? Wording of Objective Name of Document Document Link Renfrewshire Council Plan 2022-2027: provides organisational direction, ensuring that the key strategic priorities of the Council translate into specific actions within service improvement plans. This provides a ‘golden thread’, illustrating the role all Council services play in delivering these objectives. The Plan sets out the vision of “Creating a fairer Renfrewshire built on innovation, wellbeing and opportunity” with 5 strategic outcomes (with strategic outcome 4 directly relating to the climate emergency and the Council’s related activity at a local level). There is also a cross cutting theme, improving outcomes for children and families which underpins each of the 5 strategic outcomes: • Place: working together to enhance wellbeing across communities • Economy: building an inclusive, green and resilient economy • Fair: nurturing bright, happy and healthy futures for all • Green: leading Renfrewshire to Net Zero • Living Our Values: making a difference together Renfrewshire Council Plan: Creating a fairer Renfrewshire built on innovation, wellbeing and opportunity 2022- 2027 Renfrewshire Council Plan 2022-2027 Service Improvement Plans: Each Council service has Service Improvement Plans which contain a range of actions and activities which align with reducing corporate emissions and help the Council meet it climate change targets, with key actions grouped under the 5 themes of the Council Plan as outlined above. Service Improvement Plans Environment & Infrastructure Service Improvement Plan 2022-25 Chief Executive’s Service Improvement Plan 2022- 25 Finance and Resources Service Improvement Plan 2022-25 Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan 2023- 26 Communities and Housing Service Improvement Plan 2022-25 The Community Plan’s aim is: "working together to make Renfrewshire a fairer, more inclusive place where all our people, communities and businesses thrive". Addressing the climate emergency on a partnership basis, is a key area of focus identified within the refreshed Community Plan. There are 3 key areas of focus for the remainder of the Plan to deliver 12 priority actions. The 3 x focus areas are supporting low-income families; tackling health inequalities; and addressing the climate emergency, under the themes Thriving; Well; Fair; and Safe. Renfrewshire’s Community Plan 2017- 2027 (2022 refresh at mid- point) Renfrewshire’s Community Plan 2017-2027
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2(d) Does the body have a climate change plan or strategy? Yes. Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero: Working towards net zero by 2030 for both the Council as an organisation and the Renfrewshire area as a whole. The Plan for Net Zero sets out objectives and actions required to end Renfrewshire’s contribution to climate change within a generation to ensure a safer, healthier, greener and fairer place for everyone to live, work and spend time in. The design and development of the Plan took a grassroots approach, with extensive engagement combined with our emissions baselining to produce a robust evidence base that led to the 5 key themes: clean energy; sustainable transport; circular economy; connected communities; and resilient place. Each of the themes has priority areas as well as actions that the Council will undertake to lead and enable change. 2e Does the body have any plans or strategies covering the following areas that include climate change? Topic area Name of document Time period covered Comments Adaptation Glasgow City Region’s Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2025 As part of Climate Ready Clyde, we work collaboratively in partnership with 13 member organisations to create a shared vision, strategy and action plan. This has produced Glasgow City Region’s Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan which will build a more resilient, prosperous and just Glasgow City Region. Renfrewshire Local Development Strategic Environmental Assessment 2021-2026 The purpose of the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment was to assess throughout the preparation process of the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021 how the Plan might have positive or negative effects on the environment and to consider how potential environmental impacts could be avoided, reduced, mitigated or enhanced. The process ensured that the environment was given the same level of consideration as social and economic factors when preparing the Plan. As the Council begins work on its 3rd Local Development Plan it will also be subject to a Strategic Assessment process which will ensure the next Plan encourages, promotes and facilitates development that helps address the global climate emergency and nature crisis. Civil Contingencies Service Ongoing Civil Contingencies Service: a proactive approach to managing current and future risks associated with climate change. Joint service with Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire council areas. Clyde and Loch Lomond Local Plan District Flood Risk Management Strategy 2022-2028 The Strategy describes an agreed ambition for managing flooding and the priority of actions to be taken forward to deliver this. An updated Flood Risk Management Plan was published in December 2021 and covers the period 2022-2028. The Flood Risk Management Plan identifies the Potentially vulnerable areas based on potential or future risk from all sources of flooding. 4 of these potentially vulnerable areas are within Renfrewshire (White Cart Water Catchment; Black Cart Water Catchment; Gryffe Catchment; and Clyde South and Bishopton). Business Travel Sustainable Travel Planning Ongoing Sustainable Travel Planning Project: strategy to encourage staff to consider the Sustainable Travel Hierarchy to reduce the impact on the environment, increase the use of electric vehicles, promote active travel for shorter staff journeys and encourage more efficient ways of travel. Includes Sustainable Travel Staff Guidance to encourage and support more efficient travel by employees to reduce corporate emissions. Actions, targets and metrics also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Sustainable Transport theme. Staff Travel Sustainable Travel Planning Ongoing Sustainable Travel Planning Project: strategy to encourage staff to consider the Sustainable Travel Hierarchy to reduce the impact on the environment, increase the use of electric vehicles, promote active travel for shorter staff journeys and
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encourage more efficient ways of travel. Includes Sustainable Travel Staff Guidance to encourage and support more efficient travel by employees to reduce corporate emissions. Actions, targets and metrics also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Sustainable Transport theme. Energy efficiency Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero 2022-2030 Actions, targets and metrics included in the Plan for Net Zero under Clean Energy theme. Fleet transport Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero 2022-2030 Actions, targets and metrics included in the Plan for Net Zero under Sustainable Transport theme. A fleet strategy aligning with targets within the Plan for Net Zero is being developed in 2023-24. ICT Renfrewshire’s Digital Strategy Ongoing Supporting areas of work have been prioritised into five workstreams: 1. Tackle digital exclusion by removing the barriers to Digital Participation. (Digital Citizen) 2. Enable digital participation through provision of a strong digital infrastructure of Connectivity. (Digital Foundations) 3. Becoming an efficient, effective and sustainable council by developing our Digital Public Services. (Digital Council) 4. Contribute towards our Plan for Net Zero by 2030 through initiatives such as Green Print Strategy projects i.e. Managed Print Service, Hybrid Mail, E-Billing* etc. (Digital Foundations) 5. Migrated to more greener and sustainable ways of working via our cloud hosted data centre, further reducing our data centre footprint as part of the Infrastructure as a Service adoption (Digital Foundations) Both the Digital Strategy and the Customer Services Strategy are to be reviewed over the course of 2023-24 Renewable energy Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero 2022-2030 Actions, targets and metrics included in the Plan for Net Zero under Clean Energy theme. Sustainable/ renewable heat Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero 2022-2030 Actions, targets and metrics included in the Plan for Net Zero under Clean Energy theme. Waste Management Renfrewshire Council Waste Policy Ongoing Household Waste and Recycling Policy. Actions, targets and metrics also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Circular Economy theme. Water and sewerage Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero 2022-2030 Actions, targets and metrics being developed as part of Phase 2 of Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero. Land Use Renfrewshire Council Food Growing Strategy 2020-25 2020-2025 Renfrewshire Council Food Growing Strategy 2020-25: includes actions and objectives that align with reducing area-wide emissions associated with food production and transport of food. Actions, targets and metrics related to land use also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Connected Communities and Resilient Place themes. Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2027 A refresh of the Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan, covering the years 2023 – 2027, has reached the consultative draft stage, with a view towards Council approval in January 2024 and adoption by all the Biodiversity Partner organisations active in Renfrewshire. Actions, targets and metrics related to land use also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Connected Communities and Resilient Place themes. Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2 2021-2026 The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan promotes and supports measures to reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change area-wide. The Plan Includes objectives and actions on climate change mitigation and adaptation in the design of new development, incorporating renewable or low carbon energy technology into the development to assist in tackling climate change through reductions in carbon emissions. The Plan has a specific Policy I4: Renewable and Low Carbon Energy
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Developments which supports development of renewable and low carbon energy generating technologies to help achieve the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets in relation to electricity and heat demand. Actions, targets and metrics related to land use also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Connected Communities and Resilient Place themes Forestry and Woodland Strategy for the Glasgow City Region 2020-2040 The aim of the Strategy is to guide woodland expansion and management of woodlands in the Glasgow City Region, providing a policy and spatial framework to optimise the benefits for the local economy, communities and the environment. This includes taking account of: • the Climate Emergency • the role of woodland in supporting biodiversity • progress on climate change adaptation and mitigation, including the role of woodland for carbon sequestration • the role of woodland in Natural Flood Management; and • the role of woodland in carbon sequestration Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2022 2022-2024 The Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy (2022) was approved by the Council's Planning and Climate Change Policy Board on 14th June 2022. The strategy uses the information gathered from annual monitoring and analysis of land supply to provide an evidence base to support the formulation and allocation of land within the Local Development Plan. The Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy identifies a number of actions to promote the redevelopment and/or re-use of brownfield and previously used land to enhance places and support sustainable economic growth. Other (please specify in comments) Renfrewshire Council Procurement Strategy 2020-2023 Renfrewshire Council Procurement Strategy: supporting net zero by 2030 and a drive towards sustainability is at the heart of strategic goals and reflected in our sustainable procurement policy. This strategy is currently being refreshed. Actions also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Circular Economy and Connected Communities themes. Other (please specify in comments) Renfrewshire Cycling Strategy 2016-2025 2016-2025 Sustainable Transport: to increase active travel and get people cycling more often to cut emissions area-wide. Actions, targets and metrics for active travel (and reduction in car miles) also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Sustainable Transport theme. Other (please specify in comments) Local Transport Strategy 2017 Update Updated LTS to follow Sustainable Transport: to provide a range of transport options and actions to assist with tackling climate change, with a focus on reduction in carbon emissions on an area-wide basis. Actions, targets and metrics also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Sustainable Transport theme. Other (please specify in comments) Renfrewshire Core Paths Plan 2022 2022 onwards Sustainable Transport: to provide opportunities for active travel, particularly to schools and places of employment and reduce emissions on an area-wide basis. Actions, targets and metrics for active travel and core paths (as well as reduction in car miles) also included in the Plan for Net Zero under Sustainable Transport theme. Other (please specify in comments) Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2023-2028 Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan sets out how the investment in affordable housing will be targeted to meet the strategic priorities of the Local Housing Strategy. This includes climate change adaptations, ensure homes are energy efficient and fuel poverty is minimised; using innovative energy efficient development; and will actively target reduced carbon emissions from development activity and will target net zero emissions from new build development over the next few years on an area-wide basis.
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Other (please specify in comments) Draft Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 has been out for consultation and now will go to Board for approval The proposed Strategic Priorities within the draft Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 are: Strategic Priority 1: The supply and delivery of housing is increased across all tenures to meet the housing needs of different groups and create attractive and sustainable places Strategic Priority 2: People live in high quality, well-managed homes in sustainable neighbourhoods Strategic Priority 3: Address the challenges of the climate emergency, delivering homes that are warm, energy efficient and fuel poverty is minimised Strategic Priority 4: Prevention of homelessness and providing support for those in housing need Strategic Priority 5: People can live independently for as long as possible in their own home and the different housing needs of people across Renfrewshire are being met
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2(f) What are the body’s top 5 priorities for climate change governance, management and strategy for the year ahead? 1.Detailed Phased Road Map to 2030: we will look strategically and holistically across the whole Renfrewshire area to identify opportunities and solutions and to set targets, which will be highlighted in the form of a road map with to aid communication with all our stakeholders. The detailed Net Zero road map will be broken down into clear annual phasing and will highlight the interim carbon emissions reduction target for each year and will show how the Renfrewshire area as a whole, and Renfrewshire Council as an organisation, will fare in relation to these targets if the proposed interventions and projects are implemented. The target setting will take into account both national and local policies and will outline the actions that can be taken to meet our long-term and near-term targets. 2.Quantified Delivery Plans: we will set out costed, area based phased delivery plans with benchmark capital costs for each period of the Net Zero road map and will quantify and consider all impacts of the proposed delivery plans. The Plan for Net Zero will deliver multiple outcomes simultaneously (not all of which can be monetised, e.g. carbon reduction, fuel poverty alleviation, job opportunities). We will undertake area-based socio-economic impact assessments to identify and evaluate direct and indirect impacts and benefits of the proposed strategic interventions and projects to be implemented through the Plan for Net Zero. Viable and replicable projects and low regret options will be prioritised, and appropriate zones for priority area-based delivery programmes will be designated across the Renfrewshire area. 3.Verifying, adopting and updating our emissions modelling tool: we will quantify the impact of the phased actions, to inform future targets and present data in an interactive way. Good quality data is key in order to track proportional progress to net zero. Updating the tool in line with the road map as projects are implemented or as new technologies arise will give a running total of carbon savings within each phase, correlating with amounts of sequestration required in order to work towards net zero by 2030. It will also enable us to measure the impacts of implementing different projects so we can prioritise using agreed weightings. 4.Developing a carbon budget for Renfrewshire Council: and encouraging other organisations across the Renfrewshire area to prepare carbon reduction plans. Setting an annual carbon budget works in the same way as setting a financial budget and will help us to meet our net zero targets as an organisation. Identifying our emissions by service area will be key in improving our understanding of how our emissions relate to the services we provide and the reductions we need to aim for in order to adapt to delivering the same high quality local services in a way that is fit for a resilient, net zero future. We recognise that delivering the carbon budget will require investment and changes to the way in which resources are deployed, but believe that an annual carbon budget and trajectory, calculated in line with each financial year, will contribute to keep us on track to reaching our net zero target as an organisation. As part of the carbon budget, we will identify procurement hot spots within the Council’s supply chains, activities and operations to maximise circular economy opportunities; optimise local supply chains; and identify areas where we can reduce carbon in the products and services we buy through innovative procurement. 5.Developing an Adaptation Plan for Renfrewshire: Developing adaptation solutions and implementing a phased programme of priority actions which are designed to respond to and address the local impacts of climate change that are already happening, as well as prepare for future climate risks across the Renfrewshire area. These actions will be centred around communities, security and resilience, infrastructure and our local environment. Running concurrently with these actions, consultation with all stakeholders is essential across all phases in the design and delivery of the Plan for Net Zero. Two-way communication channels will remain in place as projects and activities are implemented to ensure everyone is informed of progress and can provide feedback on our collective journey to net zero. This will include: o focused engagement to identify barriers for our citizens and local businesses in order to find solutions and ensure everyone benefits from the transition to net zero; o stakeholder engagement with key groups, such as housing developers, energy companies and network providers; transport providers; land management agencies; and education and training providers, not only to understand their influence but also their role in progressing to net zero; and o internal engagement to identify and optimise opportunities, identify gaps and overlaps and to prioritise actions collectively.
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2(g) Has the body used the Climate Change Assessment Tool (a) or equivalent tool to self-assess its capability / performance? Yes. In recognition of the importance of a robust evidence base and in order to identify our highest areas of emissions to prioritise action and the key areas we need to focus on to reach net zero, Renfrewshire Council worked with external technical expertise to complete an emissions baseline and trajectory to 2030 for Renfrewshire Council as an organisation, and Renfrewshire area as a whole. 2014-15 was used as the baseline year (used due to it being the pilot year of PBCCD reporting to enable the same reporting format/data for the whole time period to date). This will also ensure we can measure progress to net zero in an open and transparent way. The baselining evidence showed that Renfrewshire Council makes up 2.49% of the area’s total emissions. Renfrewshire Council’s greenhouse gas emissions for 2018-19 were estimated to be 22.3ktCO2e. Renfrewshire Council emissions are dominated by buildings that we are responsible for (67%). The most significant emissions source is school buildings (47%) which is also the largest element of our estate, with community buildings at 13%, operational buildings (5%) and other buildings (2%). Total Council emissions decreased by 39% between 2014-15 and 2018-19. A significant factor was the streetlighting LED conversion, completed 2017, leading to a 79% reduction in streetlighting emissions. For Renfrewshire area as a whole, emissions were broken down by sector (transport, residential, etc.) and by fuel type (electricity, gas, road fuel) to identify our key emission sources and so we can model the impact of decarbonisation actions we take. Data showed that transport is currently the biggest source of emissions in the Renfrewshire area at 34%, with residential fuel use at 29% (residential electricity makes up 7% of the area’s total emissions; gas/other fuels is 22%) and commercial and industrial fuel use 29% (commercial and industrial electricity makes up 13% of the area’s emissions; commercial and industrial gas/other fuels at 16%). Baselining our area emissions and estimating the trajectory of future emissions using both a business as usual (worst case) and a tailwind (best case) scenario to 2030, provided clarity on the challenges; the key areas and activities that we need to focus on; as well as the scale of action needed in order to work towards net zero by 2030. This increased understanding of our climate targets will also help to inform current and future policy and ensure that the climate emergency is at the forefront of decision making. As part of the baselining exercise, an emissions modelling tool was developed which will be updated as projects and interventions are implemented and published annually allowing us to report progress on carbon reduction in an open and transparent way. The first update of the emissions modelling tool is due in November 2023. 2(h) Supporting information and best practice In developing Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero, we worked with residents and communities, local public, private and third sector and community planning partners to identify priority areas of focus; barriers to making changes; and solutions to enable action. Engagement is an iterative process and have now completed another round – which started with a Community Climate Conversation (June 2023) to hear more on community priorities and project ideas, what they would like to see in local areas as well as challenges they face. This was followed by a key stakeholder organisation event - with local, regional and national organisations including community planning partners, local housing associations, Scottish Power, Scottish Gas, Scottish Water, Transport Scotland, UWS and all 8 Glasgow City Region local and neighbouring authorities to understand their influence and their role in progressing to net zero as well as partnership working opportunities. The final event was an internal workshop, with attendance from 70 officers across all Services, linked to the information from the previous 2 events. We are continually looking to combine carbon reduction with other strategic priorities such as social renewal as well as identifying how embed new ways of working and positive behaviour changes to reduce emissions in our daily operations and this event identified additional opportunities to work collaboratively to continue to deliver services high quality local services in a way that helps us towards net zero, as well as projects and interventions that could work towards a range of co-benefits. To raise awareness of impacts on emissions of our everyday activities and operations as an organisation, and the ability to influence and reduce emissions, we have started rolling out carbon literacy training, starting within the Policy and Commissioning team. Climate Ready Clyde delivered a workshop on adaptation for Glasgow City Region Elected Members, and a net zero development session took place as part of ongoing Members’ training in August 2023.
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Strategic Housing Investment Plan: As part of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme process, local authorities are required to prepare and update a Strategic Housing Investment Plan which sets out how investment in affordable housing will be targeted to meet the strategic priorities of their Local Housing Strategy and supporting the delivery of the right homes in the right places. The Scottish Government’s Housing to 2040 Strategy includes a target to provide 110,000 affordable homes over a 10-year period to 2032, with at least 70% being for social rent. Renfrewshire’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan reflects this ambition within its programme of affordable housing developments, maximising the use of grant funding from the Scottish Government. The Strategic Housing Investment Plan is updated on an annual basis, with the draft Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan for 2024 to 2029 currently being consulted on. The final Plan will be presented to the Communities and Housing Policy Board in October 2023, in advance of submission to the Scottish Government. The Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan supports the development of safe, energy efficient homes that meet people’s needs and contributes to the creation of sustainable, thriving communities. New build homes within the Strategic Housing Investment Plan, will be built to maximise energy efficiency and actively target carbon emissions through the inclusion of greener measures at house design stages, supported by additional ‘quality measure’ funding benchmarks as applicable. In addition the introduction of the New Build Heat Standard from 1 April 2024 will require new buildings applying for a building warrant use zero direct emissions heating systems, meaning that systems such as gas boilers will no longer be installed in new homes and instead replaced with climate-friendly alternatives such as heat pumps and heat networks. A key element of the delivery of the Renfrewshire Council Regeneration and Renewal Programme is to upgrade and retrofit existing homes; as well as delivering new build homes to replace old, non-viable Council stock with modern, high quality, energy efficient, low carbon Council homes across sites including: Howwood Road area, Johnstone; Thrushcraigs area, Paisley; Broomlands area, Paisley; Springbank area, Paisley; and Foxbar area, Paisley.
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PART 3: CORPORATE EMISSIONS, TARGETS AND PROJECT DATA EMISSIONS 3a Emissions from the start of the year which the body uses as a baseline (for its carbon footprint) to the end of the report year Reference Year Year Year Type Scope 1 Scope 2 Scope 3 Total Units Comments Baseline Year 2012-13 Financial 19,749 19,521 142,59 53,529 tCO2e Year 1 Carbon Footprint 2013-14 Financial - - - - tCO2e The year 2013/14 was the final year of our old Carbon Management Plan (CMP). Therefore, no data included Year 2 Carbon Footprint 2014-15 Financial 16,955 19,441 9,579 45,975 tCO2e This was the first year of the CMP 2014/15 to 2019/20, using 2012/13 as the baseline year Year 3 Carbon Footprint 2015-16 Financial 14,473 15,317 11,299 41,089 tCO2e Year 4 Carbon Footprint 2016-17 Financial 11,843 13,346 2,112 27,301 tCO2e Year 5 Carbon Footprint 2017-18 Financial 12,258 7,555 1,557 21,370 tCO2e Year 6 Carbon Footprint 2018-19 Financial 11,826 7,434 1,225 20,485 tCO2e Year 7 Carbon Footprint 2019-20 Financial 11,755 6,412 3,544 21,711 tCO2e Year 8 Carbon Footprint 2020-21 Financial 11,832 5,553 5,790 23,175.4 tCO2e Year 9 Carbon Footprint 2021-22 Financial 11,642.4 5,404.1 6,518.1 23,564.6 tCO2e This figure was made up of a larger property portfolio including: Door Entry Systems for houses, Landlord Supplies, Sheltered Housing, Launderettes, Multi Use Games Areas & Floodlighting. This equated to an additional 395tCO2e Year 10 Carbon Footprint 2022-23 Financial 11,879.35 5,112.76 2,521.58 19,513.69 tCO2e
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3b Breakdown of emissions sources: Emissions Factor Year: 2022 Emission Year Emission Source Scope Consumption Data Units Emission Factor Units Emissions (tCO2e) Emissions Compared with 2021- 22 Comments compared with 2021-22 Electricity Grid Electricity (generation) Scope 2 20,991,931 kWh 0.19338 kgCO2e/kWh 4,059.42 Consumption slightly up, but EF down so overall decrease in emissions Electricity Grid Electricity (transmission & distribution losses) Scope 3 20,991,931 kWh 0.01769 kgCO2e/kWh 371.35 Electricity Grid Electricity (generation) Scope 2 5,447,010 kWh 0.19338 kgCO2e/kWh 1,053.34 Streetlighting (same consumption but a reduced emission factor) Electricity Grid Electricity (transmission & distribution losses) Scope 3 5,447,010 kWh 0.01769 kgCO2e/kWh 96.36 Fuels Natural Gas Scope 1 46,640,323 kWh 0.18254 kgCO2e/kWh 8,513.72 Increase in consumption but reduced emission factor Fuels Diesel (average biofuel blend) Scope 1 1,250,804 litres 2.55784 kgCO2e/litre 3,199.36 Increase in litres used and an increase in emission factor Fuels Petrol (average biofuel blend) Scope 1 37,718 litres 2.16185 kgCO2e/litre 81.54 Decrease in litres used and a reduced emission factor Fuels LPG litres Scope 1 626 litres 1.55709 kgCO2e/litre 0.97 Increase in litres used compared with 2021-22 Fuels Gas Oil litre Scope 1 30,360 litres 2.75857 kgCO2e/litre 83.75 Significant reduction in litres used (around a third compared with previous year) Water Water - Supply Scope 3 200,171 m3 0.10000 kgCO2e/m3 20.02 Reduction in m3 supplied Water Water - Treatment Scope 3 190,162 m3 0.19000 kgCO2e/m3 36.13 Reduction in m3 treated Transport Fleet Car – Battery Electric Vehicle (Small) Combined scopes (EVs only) 470,874 miles 0.00000 kgCO2e/mile 0.0 n/a A reduction in miles compared with previous years Transport Average Car – Unknown Fuel Scope 3 438,159 km 0.17067 kgCO2e/km 74.78 Significant decrease in kms (less than half compared with previous year) Waste Household/Municipal/Domestic Waste to Landfill Scope 3 1,082 tonnes 446.20411 kgCO2e/tonne 482.79 Significant decrease in tonnes to landfill (87% decrease) Waste Batteries Recycling Scope 3 13 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 0.277 Slight decrease in tonnages recycled Waste Commercial & Industrial to Landfill Scope 3 97 tonnes 467.00838 kgCO2e/tonne 45.30 Significant decrease in tonnages to landfill
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Waste Organic Garden Waste Composting Scope 3 714 tonnes 8.91058 kgCO2e/tonne 6.36 Significant decrease in tonnages (due to changes in service) Waste Organic Food & Drink Waste Composting Scope 3 9 tonnes 8.91058 kgCO2e/tonne 0.08 Waste Organic Mixed Food & Garden Waste Composting Scope 3 12,368 tonnes 8.91058 kgCO2e/tonne 110.21 n/a No previous year figure for comparison (due to changes in service) Waste Paper and Board (Mixed) - Recycled Scope 3 4,958 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 105.51 Decrease in tonnages recycled Waste WEEE (Mixed) Recycling Scope 3 96 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 2.04 Significant decrease in tonnages recycled Waste Glass Recycling Scope 3 4,906 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 104.40 Slight increase in tonnages recycled Waste Plastics (Average) Recycling Scope 3 1,516 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 32.26 Decrease in tonnages recycled Waste Metal Cans (Mixed) & Metal Scrap Recycling Scope 3 606 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 12.90 Significant decrease in tonnages recycled Waste Clothing Recycled Scope 3 22 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 0.47 Significant decrease in tonnages recycled Waste Refuse Municipal /Commercial /Industrial to Combustion Scope 3 24,724 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 526.13 Slight decrease in tonnages and decrease in emission factor Waste Clothing - Combustion Scope 3 5 tonnes 21.28019 kgCO2e/tonne 0.11 Slight decrease in tonnages and decrease in emission factor Homeworking Homeworking (office equipment + heating) Scope 3 1,468,740 FTE working hour 0.34075 kgCO2e/FTE working hour 500.48 Not a 100% comparison with 2020-21 due to refined calculation method 3c Generation, consumption and export of renewable energy: Technology Renewable Electricity Renewable Heat Comments Total consumed by the body (kWh) Total exported (kWh) Total consumed by the body (kWh) Total exported (kWh) Solar PV 154,204 63,487 Significant decrease in renewables compared to 2021-22 Biomass 4,274,760 0 Public Buildings In addition to biomass supplying heat to public buildings, 1795.2 MWhth of heat via biomass district heating was provided to flats owned by the Council
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TARGETS 3d Organisational targets: Name of target Type of target Target Units Boundary/scope of target Year used as baseline Baseline figure Units of baseline Target completion year Progress against target Comments Working towards net zero: Renfrewshire Council as an organisation Annual Work towards net zero by 2030 tCO2e reduction All emissions 2014/15 37 tCO2e 2030/31 Reduction of 14.23tCO2e Emissions reduced to 22.27tCO2e 2022-23 is the first year of monitoring using modelling tool: progress is to 2018-19 so the pandemic did not skew results for baselining exercise. First update is in November 2023 and progress will be reported and published annually Working towards net zero: Renfrewshire Council area Annual Work towards net zero by 2030 tCO2e reduction All emissions 2014/15 914 tCO2e 2030/31 Reduction of 18 tCO2e Emissions reduced to 896 tCO2e 2022-23 is the first year of monitoring using modelling tool: progress is to 2018-19 so the pandemic did not skew results for baselining exercise. First update is in November 2023 and progress will be reported and published annually Renewable energy generation % Generate equivalent of 100% of the Council's public building power needs by 2030 Other (please specify in comments) Scope 2 2020-21 67,899kWh generated (0.285%) kWh 2030/31 217,691kWh generated in 2022-23 (1.37% of consumption) Units is in kWh generated (and should match the Council public buildings kWh consumed) Renewable heat % Ensure 100% of Council public building heating requirements are carbon neutral by 2030 Other (please specify in comments) Scope 1 2020-21 5,487,579kWh generated (11.825%) kWh 2030/31 6,042,960kWh generated (12.96% of consumption) Units is in kWh generated (and should match the Council public buildings kWh consumed) Council housing stock carbon emissions % Aim to reduce Council housing stock carbon emissions by 68% tCO2e reduction All energy use 2020/21 2.6t CO2/annum tCO2e 2030/31 2022 average CO2 emissions per annum of Council housing stock: 2.6t CO2/annum Council housing stock energy efficiency Absolute Ensuring all Council housing stock has an EPC of B by 2030 where feasible Other (please specify in comments) All energy use 2021/22 12% of Council housing stock EPC A-B n/a 2030/31 Currently 12% of Council housing stock EPC A-B Units are EPC rating Phase out new petrol and diesel light commercial vehicles Absolute Remove the need for new petrol and diesel light commercial vehicles in the Council fleet by 2025 Other (please specify in comments) Scope 1 2021/22 117 vehicles (31% of light Council fleet) currently electric Other (please specify in comments) 2025/26 31% Units would be numbers of new petrol and diesel vehicles in class (should be 0 at target year) Phase out new petrol and diesel vehicles Absolute Phase out the need for all new petrol and diesel vehicles in the Council fleet by 2030 Other (please specify in comments) Scope 1 2021/22 117 vehicles (20% of total Council fleet) currently electric Other (please specify in comments) 2030/31 20% Units would be numbers of new petrol and diesel vehicles in class (should be 0 at target year) Low carbon transport Percentage Meet the equivalent of 100% of the increased electrical demand as a result of modal shift to electric vehicles from renewables by 2030 Other (please specify in comments) Scope 2 2021/22 0kWh kWh 2030/31 0% Units is in kWh generated (and should match the EV charger kWh consumed)
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Sustainable waste management Annual Reduce the carbon impact of waste from Council operations annually per head of population tCO2e reduction Scope 3 2021/22 tbc tCO2e 2030/31 n/a Baseline to be measured and verified Sustainable waste management Annual Ensure that all Council buildings, including schools, have the facilities for the full recycling collection service to maximise waste diversion from landfill tonnes reduction Scope 3 2021/22 tbc tonnes tbc n/a To be rolled out Sustainable land use Other (please specify in comments) Carry out an inventory of all Council land and assets, including vacant and derelict land, to explore how we can store more carbon on our land than we produce – identifying appropriate locations and measures to increase the carbon stored on land we own and increase biodiversity on public land assets tCO2e reduction All emissions 2021/22 tbc Other (please specify in comments) 2030/31 n/a Units would be tonnes CO2e offset Baseline to be measured and verified Sustainable Transport Percentage Reducing car miles by 20% total % reduction Staff travel 2019/20 tbc miles 2030/31 n/a Baseline to be measured and verified
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3(d)(a) How will the body align its spending plans and use of resources to contribute to reducing emissions and delivering its emission reduction targets? The Council is developing a carbon budget, which will be published alongside financial budgets. Identifying our emissions by service area will be key in improving our understanding of how our emissions relate to the services we provide and the reductions we need to aim for in order to adapt to delivering the same high quality local services in a way that is fit for a resilient, net zero future. We recognise that delivering the carbon budget will require investment and changes to the way in which resources are deployed, but believe that an annual carbon budget and trajectory, calculated in line with each financial year, will contribute to keep us on track to reaching our net zero target as an organisation and embed climate action into all decision making and enable tracking of spend/resource management against targets. We are also developing quantified delivery plans, setting out costed, area based phased delivery plans with benchmark capital costs for each period of the net zero road map and will quantify and consider all impacts of the proposed delivery plans, including those that cannot be monetised (e.g. carbon reduction, fuel poverty alleviation, job opportunities). Although the Council cannot deliver all of the interventions needed, a phased road map and costed delivery plans will give a holistic overview to all stakeholders to enable partnership working and encourage investment and a phased pipeline of projects will link with skills transition and local employment opportunities and identify skills gaps, shortages and requirements ahead of time. This proposed pipeline will build on work that is already underway to encourage investment in local areas; enable local supply chain and manufacturing opportunities to be identified; de-risk private sector investment; and bring about regeneration of local areas alongside carbon reduction. Climate change will be embedded in core business through the KPIs outlined in the Plan for Net Zero and the annual phased targets which will be set. This and the progress within carbon budgets will be reported annually to ensure checks and balances are in place and to ensure openness and transparency. 3(d)(b) How will the body publish, or otherwise make available, it's progress towards achieving its emissions reduction targets? Within each of the 5 themes of the Plan for Net Zero, we have metrics of success which can be quantified and measured in isolation as well as combining to measure our journey to net zero in an open and transparent manner. We will set annual emissions targets to align with our phased road map, and which are designed to measure progress to our net zero target. Initial metrics of success have been set out. These will be reviewed after the first year and updated as required as new technologies or improved reporting practices come on stream during the Plan for Net Zero. We carried out an emissions baselining exercise to identify emissions for the Council as an organisation as well as the area as a whole. This used 2014-15 as the baseline year. As part of the baselining exercise, an emissions modelling tool was developed which will be updated as projects and interventions are implemented and published annually allowing us to report progress on carbon reduction in an open and transparent way. This tool will also enable us to run scenarios to help decision making, taking into account the impact projects will have on emissions. Verifying, adopting and updating the emissions modelling tool which was developed as part of our emissions baselining exercise will enable us to quantify the impact of phased actions, inform future targets and present progress in an interactive way. Annual updates will be published so that all stakeholders can track progress. Having an open and transparent methodology for monitoring, evaluating and reporting progress is key as this ensures that, as Renfrewshire's Plan for Net Zero progresses each year, we can: o track and assess what has changed (both intended and unintended outcomes) o understand the reasons for changes (what factors have facilitated/constrained change) o interpret the changes and compare real versus modelled performance of projects The monitoring and evaluation process of collective action will also enable us to: o provide accountability and proof of impact of actions that are taken o inform decision making processes for the Council and all our stakeholders o learn lessons from successes and challenges which can be shared o improve programme design and management through an iterative process PROJECTS AND CHANGES 3e Estimated total annual carbon savings from all projects implemented by the body in the report year: Emissions source Total estimated annual carbon savings (tCO2e) Comments Electricity 258.0 LED Installation Natural gas 85.0 BMS Upgrade at Riverbrae and Park Mains HS Waste Will be baselined and measured Schools project: maximising recycling opportunities across all 56 schools and nurseries within Renfrewshire Waste Will be baselined and measured Brown bin permit implementation Water and sewerage 15.0 Travel 85.2 There are 89 charging bays for Fleet Vehicles and 140 publicly available charging bays with more planned in 2023/24 Fleet transport tbc Enhancement of electric vehicle fleet replacement programme (Renfrewshire Council has a fleet of 117 Electric Vehicles including cars, light vans, two 3.5T vans and two 15 seater minibuses or around 20% of total fleet vehicles); HVO trial for larger fleet Total 443.2 3f Detail the top 10 carbon reduction projects to be carried out by the body in the report year: Active travel: New Active Travel Route from Paisley Gilmour Street Station to Renfrew currently under construction and will finish by March 2024. 3.6Km of shared use walking and cycling provision with a significant section of off-road route connecting residential communities, businesses, schools and West College campus. Decarbonisation of Heat: AMIDS district heating network provides low carbon heating, cooling and hot water via a district heating network to businesses at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District site in Paisley, with a carbon reduction of over 95% over the 40 years lifecycle of the project and potential to connect other buildings locally. Became operational in May 2023. Improving Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation of Heat: Development of Renfrewshire Council’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Delivery Plans (area- wide). Waste: the Clyde Valley Residual Waste Partnership (Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire Councils) not only continues to divert waste from landfill but produces energy from waste – generating the enough energy to power the equivalent of 32,391 homes and demonstrating the value of reuse and recovery in a circular economy. Waste: rolling out full recycling facilities to all schools in Renfrewshire to enable recycling and increase separation of waste at source Housing Regeneration and Renewal Programme: delivering high quality and energy efficient Council housing throughout Renfrewshire - creating nicer places to live, reducing carbon emissions, bringing down energy bills and alleviating fuel poverty, with associated health and wellbeing benefits. Follow on works also underway to explore possible district heating options, aligning with the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy. Tree Planting: delivery of initial phases of the Clyde Climate Forest initiative following local consultation – planting approximately 3,000 trees (‘whips) within Renfrewshire at Barwood Park, Erskine and Glennifer Braes, Paisley to deliver climate and ecological benefits to the Glasgow City Region. Biodiversity: 13 delivered biodiversity area sites following consultation, using species-rich grassland and semi-natural woodland to sequester carbon.
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Fleet: EV Chargers have increased electrical demand during the reporting period with 94,695 sessions and 2,051,734 kWh usage. Equating to 441,537 EV miles and 85.2 Tonnes of CO2 saved. Information from ChargePlaceScotland Dashboard. Energy: LED and BMS controls upgrades at various buildings (estimated saving of 343tCO2e per annum). 3g Estimated decrease or increase in the body’s emissions attributed to factors (not reported elsewhere in this form) in the report year: Emissions source Total estimated annual emissions (tCO2e) Increase or decrease in emissions Comments Other (please specify in comments) Unknown Decrease Cannot currently access CPS systems to check figures but we have seen a noted decrease in sessions following introduction of EV tariffs on 1st April 2023 Total 3h Anticipated annual carbon savings from all projects implemented by the body in the year ahead: Emissions source Total estimated annual carbon savings (tCO2e) Comments Electricity 26 Gleniffer High School projects Natural gas To be measured and verified AMIDS low carbon district heating providing low carbon heat to local businesses at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District in Paisley. Phase 1 peak supply is 2,800MWh/annum from low carbon heat. First phase is now operational Other heating fuels To be measured and verified Natural Gas 88 Boiler replacements: Gleniffer High School; Bargarran and St. John Bosco BMS; and Riverbrae pool covers Waste Will be baselined and measured Optimisation of skip hire at schools to increase reuse of surplus furniture and increase separation of waste Land Use 556 Peatland restoration project at West Tandlemuir Other Unknown Currently working on e-billing with the intention of this going live for annual billing next year Other (please specify in comments) Unknown A programme of works is planned which align with the Plan for Net Zero but projects are not approved at the time of submission Other (please specify in comments) Unknown A strategic review of all the buildings we own to ensure more efficient use: minimising energy consumption; reducing energy waste; maximising energy efficiency; and ensuring all public and community buildings have renewables where technically feasible Total 670 3i Estimated decrease or increase in emissions from other sources in the year ahead: Emissions source Total estimated annual emissions (tCO2e) Increase or decrease in emissions Comments Estate changes 71 Decrease Property rationalisation (Abbey House): gas, electricity and water Other (please specify in comments) 20 Increase Further expansion of EV charging infrastructure Travel Unknown Decrease New Active Travel Route from Paisley Gilmour Street Station to Renfrew currently under construction and will finish by March 2024 Other (please specify in comments) Decrease A programme of works is planned which align with the Plan for Net Zero but projects are not approved at the time of submission Total 91 3j Total carbon reduction project savings since the start of the year which the body used as a baseline for its carbon footprint: Total savings Total estimated emissions savings (tCO2e) Comments Total project savings since baseline year 34,015 This figure is comparing 2022/23 with 2012/13. It is not a cumulative figure for each of the years in the date range
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PART 4: ADAPTATION ASSESSING AND MANAGING RISK 4a Has the body assessed current and future climate-related risks? Yes. Council Risk Statement: The climate emergency brings a risk to Council and its communities in relation to increased extreme weather as well as food insecurity. We need to focus on mitigation and adaptation, and ensure a just transition so no one is left behind and none is disadvantaged in the transition to net zero. The Council would need to take action and support those most disadvantaged. A key risk is that the Council is not in control of all of the levers, and cannot deliver everything required in isolation, so there is a risk that others do not contribute to meet the 2030 target. Climate Related Risk Assessment: The Corporate Risk Management Group meets quarterly in order to review the Council’s Risk Register and monitor progress being made with regard to identified risks. In addition to the quarterly meetings, two special focus meetings are held each year specifically to consider and identify any new emerging potential future risks which would include those relating to weather, climate, flood risk management, business continuity and civil contingencies. A mechanism is in place, therefore, for full consideration corporately of current risks and identification and inclusion of future risk. An action within the Plan for Net Zero is to undertake a climate risk register of all public assets to ensure all our infrastructure and buildings, including historic buildings are resilient to the impacts of climate change. In line with Audit Scotland recommendations, we will also include impacts on service, statutory responsibilities and health and wellbeing of employees. 4b What arrangements does the body have in place to manage climate-related risks? Renfrewshire Council has a proactive approach to managing current and future risks associated with climate change. Reducing flooding, flood risk and improving the condition of water bodies in Renfrewshire is crucial in assisting in tackling and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Sustainable flood risk management is considered and addressed in a number of relevant Council policy and plans. For example, through the production of: • Local Development Plan that has been subject to a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment • Supplementary planning guidelines • Land/housing policy • Civil Contingency Plans • Asset management (roads, water courses, buildings) The Council has emergency response arrangements in place for severe weather events and works corporately to protect people and properties across Renfrewshire. Scottish Environmental Protection Agency provided an update to the national flood maps in November 2020 that uses improved survey data and modelling techniques. This up-to-date information is used by the Council to ensure it utilises the latest data available to establish flood risk. Flood Risk Assessment and Resilience: The Council is a member of the Clyde & Loch Lomond Flood Risk Management Local Plan District. This is a partnership involving Scottish Water, SEPA, Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland, the National Parks Authority for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Park and 10 local authorities. Priorities across the area have been set with regard to detailed studies to address flood risk. An updated Flood Risk Management Plan was published in December 2021 and covers the period 2022-2028. The Flood Risk Management Plan identifies the Potentially vulnerable areas based on potential or future risk from all sources of flooding. Four potentially vulnerable areas are within Renfrewshire and this includes: • White Cart Water Catchment • Black Cart Water Catchment – Lochwinnoch to Johnstone • Gryffe Catchment • Clyde South and Bishopton Green Network Blueprint: As a member of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership (GCVGNP), Renfrewshire Council has contributed to the publication of a Green Network ‘Blueprint’ document which provides a strategic framework for identifying key access and habitat assets across the area and future opportunities for their protection and enhancement. The Blueprint aligns with proposals in the Renfrewshire Core Path Plan and the outcomes of habitat assessment undertaken with GCVGNP informed the development of the Renfrewshire Core Path Plan 2022 and delivery of actions in the Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan. Encouraging active travel helps contribute to a low carbon economy. Development in Renfrewshire will aim to protect, maintain and enhance the quality and connectivity of green/blue networks as an integral functioning part of the place, increasing accessibility to active travel routes in and around Renfrewshire’s communities. Renfrewshire are currently preparing a blue/green network strategy to ensure development, proposals and projects meet the aims of the Green Network Blueprint. Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Plan: The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 encourages a coordinated approach to share services and seek economies of scale when tackling flood risk management. A very good example of putting this coordinated partnership working into practice is through the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership (MGSDP) which is a partnership between public bodies involved in managing surface water, water quality, flood risk, investment planning and economic delivery, with a vision to ‘Sustainably Drain Glasgow’. The Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership vision is to transform how the city region thinks about and manages rainfall to end uncontrolled flooding and improve water quality. The Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership hope to achieve this by integrated drainage plans and local surface water management plans delivering a range of integrated measures across the Metropolitan Glasgow area, which includes Renfrewshire. The MGSDP is entering its next phase where it must respond to the climate and biodiversity emergencies. The National Planning Framework 4 recognises urban sustainable, blue and Green Drainage Solutions as a national development which will continue to build on the benefits of the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership. Climate Ready Clyde: The Climate Ready Clyde project is a cross-sector initiative funded by the Scottish Government and the partners include the eight Glasgow city region local authorities including Renfrewshire Council; University of Glasgow; University of Strathclyde; NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; SPT; SEPA; and NatureScot. The project is to create a shared vision, strategy and action plan for an adapting Glasgow City Region. The project aims to develop a clear strategic approach to allow the City Region to become climate ready in response to the future climate changes. Climate Ready Clyde brings the partners together to work strategically to minimise the risks of climate change and build on the opportunities this brings for our economy, society and environment. A City Region Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan was launched in June 2021 and this sets out the processes and early interventions needed to manage climate risks. It also sets out how progress in climate resilience will be monitored, evaluated and learnt from to improve policies, strategies, programmes and projects. One of the targets of the Glasgow City Region Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan is to increase the resilience of over 140,000 people in the regions who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. To help monitor progress against this target a new Glasgow City Region Climate vulnerability Map has been published. The map shows the postcode areas within the City Region that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and provides a tool that can be used to help target resources towards these vulnerable communities, supporting Climate Ready Clyde’s focus on just resilience.
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Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy: Renfrewshire Council published their 3rd Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy in 2022. The strategy supports the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan by prioritising the redevelopment of brownfield and previously used land to steer development away from greenfield and green belt locations, greening neighbourhoods and places to support sustainability and adaptation to the climate crisis and to encourage a sustainable economy. The strategy focuses on a more efficient use of vacant and derelict land, managing development more sustainably, creating opportunities for communities and the enhancement of existing places in support of the delivery of local living through networks of 20-minute neighbourhoods. Supporting nature positive places that will be more resilient to the impacts of the climate crisis and support the recover and restoration of our natural environment is also a key theme in the Strategy. A key action within the Plan for Net Zero is to develop an Adaptation Plan for Renfrewshire: Developing adaptation solutions and implementing a phased programme of priority actions which are designed to respond to and address the local impacts of climate change that are already happening, as well as prepare for future climate risks across the Renfrewshire area. These actions will be centred around communities, security and resilience, infrastructure and our local environment. Renfrewshire Local Development Plan: Under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 the development plan for Renfrewshire consists of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021. NPF4 sets out the Spatial Plan for Scotland up to 2045. NPF4s spatial strategy aims to ensure that Scotland’s future places will be net zero, nature-positive places that are designed to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, whilst protecting, recovering and restoring the environment. NPF4 recognises that to meet the climate ambition that this will require a rapid transformation across all sectors of the economy and society. This means ensuring the right development happens in the right place. Policy 1: Tacking the climate and nature crisis and Policy 2: Climate mitigation and adaption both specifically set out how development plans should encourage, promote and facilitate development that addresses the global climate emergency and nature crisis and how they should encourage, promote and facilitate development that minimises emissions and adapts to the current and future impacts of climate change. The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 has also introduced the requirement of the city region to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). An indicative Regional Spatial Strategy was submitted to Scottish Government in June 2020. The indicative RSS focused on the Mission Clyde/ Clyde corridor and key spatial priorities to deliver ‘compact city model’ and contained proposals to respond to the global climate change emergency. The Local Development Plan is a statutory document that facilitates and guides the future use of land within Renfrewshire providing a map based guide for shaping the area over the next ten years. The current Renfrewshire Local Development Plan was adopted in December 2021. The Plan is informed by extensive consultation, engagement and collaboration and sets out the ambitious vision, an inclusive spatial strategy, sustainable objectives and the policy framework for Renfrewshire. The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan continues to focus on sustainable inclusive economic growth within Renfrewshire, identifying where there are opportunities for change, regeneration and enhancement, and directing developments to locations that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. The Plan also promotes sustainable patterns of development that contribute towards minimising carbon and greenhouse gas emissions and support the adaptions to the likely effects of climate change. The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan seeks to protect and enhance the varied natural assets. The protection and enhancement of woodland, forestry, the green network, varied landscapes will play a key part in Renfrewshire’s transition to a low carbon economy and adapting to climate change. The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan is supported by a number of documents including the New Development Supplementary Guidance, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and Habitats Regulation Appraisal. These documents aim to ensure that the protection and enhancement of the environment is central to the plan and that policies, proposals and strategies to support measures to adapt to the likely effects of climate change, resilience and avoidance where possible. A core principle of the plans spatial strategy is that development proposals will not have a significant negative impact on the environment and aim to enhance Renfrewshire as a Place. The Habitats Regulations Appraisal assesses whether the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021 is likely to have a significant effect on any Natura 2000 (European) sites whether alone or in combination within any other policy or plan. Following the Appraisal process of screening, applying mitigation and rescreening, the Appraisal concluded that the implementation of the policies in the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan will not have any adverse effects on the site integrity of any Natura 2000 sites, either alone or in combination. These documents help ensure that the protection and enhancement of the environment is central to the plan. A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment was also undertaken as part of the preparation of the Local Development Plan 2021. It has informed both the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan. The main aim of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment was to inform the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan by providing a strategic overview of flood risk in Renfrewshire. In undertaking this assessment alongside the preparation of the Plan, it ensures new development should where possible avoid areas affected by flood risk, thereby ensuring that the overall risk of flooding is not increased. The Council has commenced the initial work on its 3rd Local Development Plan and it will reflect the NPF4 and be subject to the same assessments as the 2021 LDP which will ensure that proposed developments are designed to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Supporting Successful Places: The delivery of successful and sustainable places is a key focus for the Council. The Council has recognised the need to take account of climate related risks to secure a sustainable approach to place making within Renfrewshire in order to protect its communities now and in the future. This is reflected in the range of work undertaken by the Council in relation to place, including the preparation of Centre Strategies, Local Place Plans and strategies for integrated green infrastructure at the Community Growth Areas of Johnstone South West and Dargavel Village. The delivery of these strategies and projects strongly support the enhancement of natural environment resources across Renfrewshire and reflect policies within the Council’s corporate policy framework, such as the Local Development Plan, which support the creation and enhancement of sustainable communities. TAKING ACTION 4c What action has the body taken to adapt to climate change? Training: Officers have worked alongside Adaptation Scotland in the preparation of Climate Ready Clyde, the adaptation strategy and action plan for Glasgow and the Clyde Valley. This provided the opportunity to develop a shared vision with a clear and ambitious commitment of working collaboratively to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Renfrewshire Council is an active member of the Sustainable Scotland Network and officers from relevant services have attended adaptation focused events. Sustainable Scotland network have set up a Local Authority Forum which aims to foster sector specific discussion, to consider the climate challenges and opportunities facing local government in Scotland, including space for valuable networking. Officers have undergone Carbon Literacy Training which has enhanced their knowledge and confidence to incorporate carbon reduction into their role and decision- making. Policies and Plans: Renfrewshire Council has a strong policy framework in place to help address the climate emergency and support adaptation and mitigation. The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021 and the National Planning Framework 4 provide a policy framework for assessing climate change risks from proposed developments. A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment was undertaken of the adopted Local Development Plan which directs new development to sustainable locations and where possible avoid areas of flood risk, thereby ensuring that the overall risk of flooding is not increased. This is an important element of the climate risk assessment for land use within Renfrewshire. All potential development sites in the Local Development Plan have been assessed in terms of their sustainability and any likely climate related impacts have been identified through the Strategic Environmental Assessment. Mitigation and adaptation to climate change and flooding are included in this assessment. The Clyde and Loch Lomond Flood Risk Management Strategy has set a framework for action for the Council to address flooding in areas at most risk.
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Renfrewshire Council’s Outdoor Access Strategy 2016-2026 and Core Paths Plan 2022 provide a framework which supports recreational and active travel opportunities, connecting communities, schools and places of work as well as greenspace and the wider countryside. The documents encourage an increase in walking and cycling which not only promotes healthy lifestyles but contribute to mitigation of climate change through a reduction of car based travel. National Planning Framework 4 promotes 20 minute neighbourhoods which support local liveability, reduce the need to travel unsustainably, promote and facilitate walking and cycling, improve access to services, decentralise energy networks and build circular economies. The Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2018 – 2022 was prepared in partnership and reflects the priorities of some 25 biodiversity organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors. The Biodiversity Action Plan sets out a positive and ambitious approach to support the conservation, promotion and enhancement of biodiversity across Renfrewshire. The implementation of the plan is progressing well, and the actions developed and delivered will assist Renfrewshire’s characteristic habitats and species to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change. A refresh of the Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan, covering the years 2023 – 2027, has reached the consultative draft stage, with a view towards Council approval in January 2024 and adoption by all the Biodiversity Partner organisations active in Renfrewshire. The Renfrewshire Food Growing Strategy 2020-25 provides a positive framework for increasing the quality and quantity of growing opportunities across Renfrewshire. The strategy supports the enhancement of existing spaces and creation of new opportunities in line with community aspirations, assisting the reuse vacant and derelict land in a sustainable manner. Partnership Working: The Council works in partnership with organisations and individuals on specific projects, for example: The Renfrewshire Growing Grounds Forum supports local residents and groups to maintain and increase of the quantity and quality of growing opportunities for people across Renfrewshire. Managed jointly by Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, the Forum represents more than 50 organisations including allotment and community garden associations, development trusts and voluntary sector bodies. The Forum has created a valuable support and guidance network for members, including assistance in securing leases, funding advice and specialist growing advice. The Council continues to support the Local Outdoor Access Forum which meets to discuss access related matters. It is comprised of access users such as cyclists and walkers, land owners and managers, community groups and local or national organisations. The role of the Forum is to advise on matters of access rights, disputes and supporting the preparation of access strategies and Core Paths Plans. Through the partnership approach of the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership, being a member of Clyde and Loch Lomond Local Plan District along with the Clyde Area Advisory Group for River Basin Management, Renfrewshire Council aim to support improvements to drainage infrastructure and reduce flooding and flood risk whilst improving the condition of water bodies, improving habitats and enabling development. 4d Where applicable, what contribution has the body made to helping deliver the Programme? Biodiversity: Renfrewshire Council has continued to lead on the coordination of the Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2022 (LBAP), following its approval by the Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board in May 2018. The Plan is a partnership document endorsed and supported by 25 biodiversity organisations active in its area. Actions undertaken in the past year by Renfrewshire Council to improve biodiversity conservation have included: Planting of locally propagated and rare native Juniper shrubs within protected areas within the Renfrewshire Heights Special Protection Area Conservation volunteers led by Ranger staff at both Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and Gleniffer Braes Country Park Continued an ongoing partnership with the Clyde Climate Forest initiative within Renfrewshire concentrating on the ‘Urban Canopy’ priority thread and developing new planting proposals at Foxbar, Paisley Developed a close working relationship with the GCR Clyde Peatlands initiative, to bring proposed works on 200ha+ of blanket bog at West Tandlemuir Farm in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to the detailed design stage, with a view towards a site start in August 2024 Using funding awarded through the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, created 18 new biodiversity areas on urban parkland previously in standard grass-cutting maintenance – including species rich grasslands and patches of semi-natural woodland Received a specific award of £350,000 from the Nature Restoration Fund to develop and implement the Renfrewshire Rivers Project, which will concentrate on eradicating five invasive alien plant species from five river catchments Received grant-aid from the Water Environment Fund to explore the feasibility of restoring the Candren Burn catchment in Ferguslie Park, Paisley – in partnership with SEPA and the Green Action Trust Worked with NatureScot to produce a Renfrewshire Deer Management Statement, which will be published on the NatureScot website in due course Supported allotment associations and community gardening groups to manage their grounds in biodiversity boosting ways Provided grant support to the Friends of Jenny’s Well to help maximise the accessibility and awareness of this urban Local Nature Reserve Provided planning gain funding to support the supply and erection of Swift nesting boxes in Lochwinnoch Worked with multiple partners to improve and extend the path/boardwalk network at the RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve Renfrewshire Council has continued to play a lead coordinating role in the cross-border Local Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group. The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 created a duty on public bodies to further the conservation of biodiversity. In addition, the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 requires public bodies to publish a report every three years on the actions taken to meet biodiversity duty. The next Renfrewshire Biodiversity Duty Report is due to be published in 2023 and will expand on the above headline activities. A refresh of the Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan, covering the years 2023 – 2027, has reached the consultative draft stage, with a view towards Council approval in January 2024 and adoption by all the Biodiversity Partner organisations active in Renfrewshire. Forestry and Woodland Strategy: Renfrewshire Council worked with the other Clydeplan authorities to develop the Forestry and Woodland Strategy for the Glasgow City Region. The aim of the Strategy is to guide woodland expansion and management of woodlands in the Glasgow City Region providing a policy and spatial framework to optimise the benefits for the local economy, communities and the environment. The Strategy aims to maximise the contribution that the Glasgow City Region area’s existing and future woodlands can make to achieving carbon neutrality in line with the Scottish Government targets and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The Strategy sets the context for forest management and expansion across Renfrewshire. The Council published a new Renfrewshire Planning and Development Tree Policy in 2022 which aims to protect and enhance areas of trees and woodland in line with the Scottish Government’s Control of Woodland Removal Policy and Clydeplan’s Forestry and Woodland Strategy. Work is also progressing to prepare a forestry and woodland strategy for Renfrewshire which will build on the Glasgow city region strategy. The emerging strategy will support the planting of new areas of woodland across Renfrewshire and the protection of the existing resource. The 30th August 2023 Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board considered a Proactive Tree Management Policy for the Council’s existing tree stock in a bid to counteract the deleterious effects of spreading tree diseases and to promote a safe environment for residents and visitors. This policy included a commitment to increased tree planting by the Council to compensate for inevitable felling works to control disease spread. Renfrewshire Council has continued to play a lead coordinating role in the cross-border Local Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group. The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 created a duty on public bodies to further the conservation of biodiversity. In addition, the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 requires public bodies to publish a report every three years on the actions taken to meet biodiversity duty. The next Renfrewshire Biodiversity Duty Report is due to be published in 2023 and will expand on the above headline activities.
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REVIEW, MONITORING & EVALUATION 4e What arrangements does the body have in place to review current and future climate risks? Strategic Development Plan/National Planning Framework 4: Under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 the development plan for Renfrewshire consists of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021. NPF4 sets out the Spatial Plan for Scotland up to 2045. NPF4s spatial strategy aims to ensure that Scotland’s future places will be net zero, nature-positive places that are designed to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, whilst protecting, recovering and restoring the environment. The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 also introduced the requirement of the city Region to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). An indicative Regional Spatial Strategy was submitted to Scottish Government in June 2020. The indicative RSS focused on the Mission Clyde/ Clyde corridor and key spatial priorities to deliver ‘compact city model’ and contained proposals to respond to the global climate change emergency. Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021: The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021 provides an ambitious vision, an inclusive spatial strategy, sustainable objectives and the policy framework for Renfrewshire. The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan continues to focus on sustainable inclusive economic growth within Renfrewshire, identifying where there are opportunities for change, regeneration and enhancement, and directing developments to locations that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. The Plan also promotes sustainable patterns of development that contribute towards minimising carbon and greenhouse gas emissions and support the adaptions to the likely effects of climate change. The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan seeks to protect and enhance the varied natural assets. The protection and enhancement of woodland, forestry, the green network, varied landscapes will play a key part in Renfrewshire’s transition to a low carbon economy and adapting to climate change. Work has commenced on the preparation of Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 3. The policy framework of LDP3 is set out in NPF4 and it will also be informed by the Regional Spatial Strategy and Place Plans as well as other Council Strategies and Plans. Planning for net zero will be central to the new LDP3. An action within the Plan for Net Zero is to undertake a climate risk register of all public assets to ensure all our infrastructure and buildings, including historic buildings are resilient to the impacts of climate change. In line with Audit Scotland recommendations, we will also include impacts on service, statutory responsibilities and health and wellbeing of employees. 4f What arrangements does the body have in place to monitor and evaluate the impacts of adaptation actions? Policies and Plans: The policies within the Local Development Plan and Strategic Development Plan are monitored annually and both documents are the subject of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) which includes consideration of the effects of the policies on Climate Change mitigation and Adaptation. A State of the Environment Report for Renfrewshire is also produced on a regular basis. The State of the Environment Report provides a robust information base for the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Renfrewshire Local Development. The State of the Environment Report is updated regularly to ensure that data is relevant. The publication of the State of the Environment Report is an important step in the monitoring process as trends can be identified and the indicators show if the status of indicators is improving, deteriorating or if there is no change. Flooding data is regularly updated to reflect the addition of new information and improvements in climate modelling. The data is also used to inform other corporate strategies and plans such as the Local Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Plan. The Plan for Net Zero will deliver multiple outcomes simultaneously (not all of which can be monetised, e.g. impacts on adaptation, mitigation of climate impacts,). We will undertake area-based socio-economic impact assessments to identify and evaluate direct and indirect impacts and benefits of the proposed strategic interventions and projects to be implemented through the Plan for Net Zero. A number of KPIs under the theme of Resilient Place will also be monitored and evaluated and progress reported annually. FUTURE PRIORITIES FOR ADAPTATION 4g What are the body’s top 5 climate change adaptation priorities for the year ahead? 1. Publication of Renfrewshire's updated Biodiversity Action Plan and align with the development of an Adaptation Plan for Renfrewshire, in addition to the Glasgow City Region Adaptation Strategy to identify localised solutions based on needs within different areas. A refresh of the Renfrewshire Biodiversity Action Plan, covering the years 2023 – 2027, has reached the consultative draft stage, with a view towards Council approval in January 2024 and adoption by all the Biodiversity Partner organisations active in Renfrewshire. 2. Preparing a Forestry and Woodland Strategy for Renfrewshire which will build on the Glasgow City Region Strategy. The emerging strategy will support the planting of new areas of woodland across Renfrewshire and the protection of the existing resource. 3. Carrying out an inventory of all Council land and assets, including vacant and derelict land, to explore how we can store more carbon on our land than we produce – identifying appropriate locations and measures to increase the carbon stored on land we own and increase biodiversity on public land assets 4. Explore how to best undertake proactive measures: adopt an early warning system to prepare for extreme weather events such as heatwaves and flooding; identify “grey” and “nature-based” flood protection measures and put in place local emergency response plans 5. Developing a climate risk register of all public assets to ensure all our infrastructure and buildings, including historic buildings are resilient to the impacts of climate change, including impacts on service, statutory responsibilities and health and wellbeing of employees FURTHER INFORMATION Provide any other relevant supporting information and any examples of best practice by the body in relation to adaption. Biodiversity Areas: Species rich grassland can sequester up to 5 times the carbon of short-mown amenity grassland (Plantlife). Species such as Knapweed with deep roots are particularly effective, and this species is present in all seed mixes used on the 15 delivered publicly consulted sites and 13 delivered operationally consulted sites. Around 15 further sites will be delivered in the next 2 years. Reductions in mowing from a 14-day cycle to a single annual autumn cut-and-lift create further carbon savings from transport and diesel powered mowers. A story map with site-by-site information and images is available at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/86b7ab224cce402f8f8e3fa2434c0ac4 Restoring Renfrewshire’s Rivers: Several invasive non-native species (INNS) of plant lead to annual riverbank erosion by creating monocultures which shade out communities of native plant species then leave riverbanks as exposed bare soil in winter. Soil washing into watercourses releases carbon and the resulting sedimentation leads to a reduction in aquatic biodiversity. A community based funded project will reduce carbon by eradicating 5 key invasive non-native species from riverbanks of 5 watercourses across Renfrewshire, beginning at headwaters, and where appropriate resowing native riparian vegetation. Ongoing monitoring and reactive control will prevent recolonisation. Recruitment of project officer is underway. Community training and control work will begin in 2024. Dargavel Village, Bishopton: Dargavel Village is the site of a former BAE Systems Royal Ordnance Factory to the south west of Bishopton. At 964 hectares it is one of the largest brownfield sites in Scotland and has been subject to major regeneration as a Community Growth Area of 4,322 new homes, associated retail, education, health and recreational facilities, along with a Green Network consisting of parks, path networks, woodland and habitat pockets. Renfrewshire Council has worked closely with site owner BAE Systems to deliver initial phases of a long term, 25 year strategy. The project has provided for major environmental benefits and initial phases have returned over 200 hectares of vacant brownfield land to active use, significantly reducing Renfrewshire’s vacant and derelict land by 20% since 2012.
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A green infrastructure network has been central to early delivery. Strategic drainage, access networks and habitat features are integrated and closely aligned in a series of blue and green corridors to create multi-functional spaces which act as the spine for the development. A programme of structural landscaping associated with the green infrastructure network has been supported by enhancement of significant existing features such as woodland across the site and the introduction of new green spaces, including a village square at the heart of the development. Work has been progressing on the housing, park areas, green spaces, the village centre and education provision. A management plan for a 400 hectare new Community Woodland Park has been prepared, returning previously inaccessible land to active use over the medium to long term. The plan identifies measures to enhance access, woodland management and enhance biodiversity. In the long term, the development will have a significant legacy in successfully returning one of Scotland’s largest brownfield sites into active use, creating a well-connected, good quality and sustainable place. Integrated Green Infrastructure - Johnstone South West: Renfrewshire Council has developed proposals for flood attenuation and landscape improvements within Johnstone South West, a residential neighbourhood which lies a short distance south of Johnstone town centre. The improvements form a key element of a wider regeneration strategy for the area, supporting the development of a Community Growth Area as identified through the Strategic Development Plan. A masterplan was developed as part of the Scottish Government ‘Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative’ (SSCI) programme and approved by the Council. Much of the area is constrained by flooding and issues of surface water management. The masterplan is therefore underpinned by a surface water management strategy which considers development within a holistic approach led by the consideration of infrastructure requirements This provides for a number of linked interventions including the de-culverting of watercourses, supported by the creation of swales, new woodland areas and storage ponds. The Surface Water Management Strategy for the area is now being implemented to support residential development with associated infrastructure and landscape improvements, in line with the masterplan for the area. Place Plans: The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 has introduced the opportunity for communities to produce their own plans as part of the new Scottish planning system. Local Place Plans offer communities the opportunity to develop proposals for their local area, expressing their aspirations and ambitions for future change. Place Plans will offer the opportunity for communities to understand what they want to be like in the future and help to develop a positive community identity and can support community aspirations on the big challenges for a future Scotland, such as responding to the global climate emergency and tackling inequalities. The Council has invited local communities to express an interest if they wish to prepare a Local Place Plan. A number of Place Plans have been produced in Renfrewshire prior to the new legislation being introduced. This includes a pilot Local Place Plan within the urban neighbourhood of Foxbar in 2018. Throughout 2019 the Council supported members of the community of Spateston, a residential neighbourhood within the town of Johnstone, to prepare a local Place Plan for the area, providing a framework for a range of social and economic initiatives, community activities and local environmental improvements. The Spateston Local Place Plan was published by the local community in late 2019, identifying a vision and eight actions which build on the existing assets of the area, supporting a sustainable, well connected and sustainable place which reflects the priorities of the community. These include physical projects such as enhancements to the local park, as well as social and environmental actions such as planting wildflower meadows. The plan provides a flexible framework to guide action by the local community, supported by the Council and its partners, to deliver the vision. The Making of Ferguslie local place plan was published in December 2021. Good progress has been made on delivery of initial phases of the plan, including new homes for the community where work is nearing completion on the construction of 101 new Council homes which will provide new modern, energy efficient homes for the neighbourhood. Construction of the Darkwood Community Growing Space is underway. This a new growing space on underused land which provides 20 raised beds and the project will create a space to learn, socialise and grow food. The Ferguslie Green Line is the key placemaking intervention within the Making Of framework and the central spine for the neighbourhood. A key role of the Green Line is to support the reuse of vacant and derelict land within the neighbourhood, providing for an improved environment and a focal point for community activities. The Green Line will also help to improve walking and cycling links between local facilities, greenspaces and residential areas within the neighbourhood and beyond.
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PART 5: PROCUREMENT 5a How have procurement policies contributed to compliance with climate change duties? Provide information relating to how the procurement policies of the body have contributed to its compliance with climate changes duties: Renfrewshire Council as a contracting authority has developed a range of policies and strategies to ensure compliance with the Sustainable Procurement Duty under section 8 (2) of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015. The Sustainable Procurement Strategy (approved on 8 June 2016 by the Procurement Sub Committee) aligns to statutory requirements as well as the key strategic priorities of the Council. The Council’s Corporate Procurement Strategy aligns to the Council’s aspiration to contribute to reducing our impact on climate change to make Renfrewshire's economy and communities as sustainable as possible. Our policies take account of the Programme for Government’s recognition that public procurement in Scotland can drive change and build responsible supply chains, helping to tackle the climate emergency, reduce emissions, minimise waste and allow for re-use or recycling wherever appropriate. The need to ensure compliance and commitment is further reinforced in Renfrewshire Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts. This requires sustainable procurement is considered at the outset as part of the development of every contract strategy for regulated and above EU threshold procurements. The approach adopted supports identifying potential environmental, social and economic aspects requiring to be incorporated within the procurement process through the development of a relevant specification or through the contract Terms and Conditions. This approach also helps to support spending decisions based on sustainable choices. Another example of the procurement policy directly contributing to climate change duties includes the requirement to assess the resource being purchased, consider whole life costing, origins of materials, operating costs and disposal and end of life implications; all contributing to minimising impact on the environment. The five environmental aspects embedded in the contract strategy are: 1. Reduction in emissions to air, water, impact on climate change and the impact on population’s health; 2. Waste reduction in solid wastes, liquids, hazardous packaging and landfill; 3. Reduction in energy use and business travel; 4. Loss of biodiversity and the impact on habitat; 5. Promotion of energy efficient products, renewable energy and sustainable resources. To meet the requirements of the Sustainable Procurement Duty specified in section 9 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 the council’s procurement process has incorporated the four sustainable tools: 1. Prioritisation tool, which is supporting implement and adopt a standard, structured approach to assessing spend categories and focussing on increasing sustainable economic growth; 2. Sustainability test is embedded and considered as part of the contract strategy development, this helps identify relevant sustainability risks such as climate which can then be considered in the contract strategy and if appropriate relevant climate questions can be built into the tender documentation; 3. The life cycle impact mapping is actively used to help with the identification of sustainable risks and opportunities as part of the procurement process; 4. Utilised and completed the self-assessment using the Flexible Framework and actions identified are being progressed. In order to ensure that Suppliers are fully aware of the commitment to climate change duties, clear instructions and clauses are incorporated in the Invitation to Tender documents. 5b How has procurement activity contributed to compliance with climate change duties? Provide information relating to how procurement activity by the body has contributed to its compliance with climate changes duties: The range of policies and procedures adopted by Renfrewshire Council’s Corporate Procurement Unit make a significant positive contribution to compliance with climate change duties by actively considering the reduction of greenhouse emissions, energy efficiency and recycling responsibly. Procurement work with key stakeholders to develop strategies which carefully consider the impact of what the Council buys and takes account of all opportunities to promote sustainable procurement. The evidence-based information/examples below demonstrate the strong approach taken by procurement to contributing to the climate change duties, for example: Renfrewshire Council has entered an Inter Authority Agreement as a key partner on the Clyde Valley Residual Waste Project. The 25-year contract has been awarded to Viridor to design, construct, finance and operate the facilities to treat waste which would otherwise go to landfill. It is anticipated that because of the contract Viridor will process approximately 190,000 tonnes of residual waste per year. These measures will make a significant contribution to the national targets for recycling and landfill diversion by 2025. The Clyde Valley Waste Management Project, Treatment & Disposal of Residual Waste commenced operation on 7th January 2020. This will assist the Council in meeting its landfill diversion targets, with over 90% of the Councils' waste becoming refuse derived fuel which will be used to generate renewable energy. To ensure its long-term vision to create a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy, a wide range of activities are being undertaken by the Council to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill. These include the collection of many waste-related materials both at the kerbside and from the Councils Household Waste Recycling Centres. Corporate Procurement have supported the Council’s ambitions to reduce waste to landfill and increase recycling by implementing an overarching Waste Strategy to support the ambitious programme to introduce new collection services to over 90,000 households in Renfrewshire. Renfrewshire Council is also part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal (GCRCD) which is an agreement between the UK Government, the Scottish Government and eight local authorities across the Glasgow City Region. The Council is the lead contracting authority on both the Clyde Waterfront & Renfrew Riverside (CWRR) and Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). Both of these projects have climate ambitions at their heart, and this has been embedded into the project strategies. The AMIDS project includes the procurement of a Joint Venture Private Sector Partner and will assess the bidders on their approach to developing a carbon reduction plan (2% of the tender evaluation). As part of the JV requirements, they will have to update the carbon reduction plan annually and publish it on their website. Both the AMIDS and CWRR projects include active travel elements that will make low carbon active travel a more attractive prospect across Renfrewshire and reduce related carbon emissions. The Procurement team are actively supporting the ongoing Council fleet replacement programme with the purchase of new electric light commercial vehicles (30% of the Council fleet is now electric). The procurement team are also helping facilitate the sustainable travel plan with a number of tenders that focus on active travel solutions and encouraging the public to be more engaged with using these active travel forms of transport. Renfrewshire Council is embarking on an ambitious programme of investment in housing led regeneration and renewal in Renfrewshire. The Housing Regeneration and Renewal Programme will see the investment of at least £100 million over a ten-year period will deliver modern, high quality, energy efficient, affordable housing. Contract requirements will include building of new homes; retrofit and refurbishment of existing properties and associated design services. Climate is at the heart of this project with the works focusing on reducing carbon emissions as well as providing high quality affordable homes. This means an increase in energy efficiency of council owned properties across Renfrewshire. Sustainability and Climate considerations are also key to the project strategy development and will be built into each contract for the programme with climate targets being included where appropriate. Sustainability scorecards are being used in the contract management for relevant contracts in this programme process to track progress on agreed upon sustainability KPIs, including climate focused ones. The Council is also engaged in a programme to create a new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus. The school will be of a Passivhaus standard, and the school and community campus will contribute to the improvement in learning and wellbeing outcomes for young people and the wider community, helping to
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support sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Renfrewshire. The Passivhaus standard of the building means that climate is embedded into the entire project build and therefore the project strategy subsequently has a key focus on sustainability and climate. Renfrewshire Council’s Cultural Infrastructure Programme is another key priority of the council that procurement is helping to deliver, ensuring that climate and sustainability are embedded in the projects and that outcomes are contributing to the Council’s Net Zero targets. 5c Further Information Provide any other relevant supporting information and any examples of best practice by the body in relation to procurement: The Corporate Procurement Unit takes a proactive approach towards the legislative and policy requirements which has been developed and embedded within the procurement process. The contract examples above in section 5(b) demonstrate best practice and continuous improvement internally and externally to address the requirements of the Climate Change Duties. The procurement team have all completed the Climate Literacy for Procurers eLearning on the Scottish Government Sustainable Procurement Tools platform and embed this learning, and the use of the tools, into all procurement processes. Additionally, the team have also participated in a number of specialised sustainability training sessions, both internally and with support from Sustainable Procurement Ltd, to build confidence in including climate, circular economy, and sustainability requirements in tenders and challenging the client service on climate considerations. There is a robust onboarding programme for new procurement officers that includes ensuring that they are up to date on climate literacy and detail on how climate considerations are embedded into the procurement process in Renfrewshire. The prominence of sustainability and climate action across the procurement landscape indicated that a dedicated officer for sustainable procurement would be of benefit in order to ensure that the Council keeps abreast of best practice, embeds sustainability into all procurement actions and fosters innovation and creative solutions around sustainable procurement practice. As previously reported in February 2022 the Climate Change Sub Committee approved allocation of funding from the Climate Change Action Fund to support the development of a Renfrewshire Sustainable Procurement programme which would strengthen and accelerate the local approach and support Net Zero ambitions across Renfrewshire. In April 2022 the Climate Emergency Advisor for procurement commenced their post with an initial 1-year commitment to funding. Their role is to support procurements response to the Climate Emergency, writing and actioning sustainability policy and practice, running a robust training regime to ensure all officers are confident in building sustainability requirements into strategies and contracts, engaging in cross- functional work across the Council (and beyond) to support the climate response, and actively engage in practice sharing across the Scottish Public Procurement sector. The CPU are also actively engaging with the Council’s Climate Emergency Lead Officer and the Green Economy Officer to help maximise the impact of procurement, exploring opportunities for procurement to support with the delivery of our climate goals and our community wealth building aspirations for our local economy. The procurement team requests the advice/support/expertise of these stakeholders where necessary as climate requirements in tenders become more technical and/or specialised in nature to ensure confidence in these requirements. In partnership with Economic Development, the CPU is also engaging in regular events/workshops aimed at SMEs and local businesses as part of the Community Wealth Building agenda, these events include the opportunity for suppliers and stakeholders to receive a variety of advice and support including around climate and sustainability requirements. The Procurement Manager is a member of the Scottish Government Procurement Policy Forum which provides an opportunity to discuss challenges faced across the public sector, to identify issues and inform forum members of work to resolve these issues. The forum provides an opportunity to share best practice and lessons learned and encourages members to work across their sector to help address matters like tackling the climate emergency. The Procurement Manager is the Local Authority representative on the Climate and Procurement Forum who aim to provide strategic guidance and leadership to help the public sector achieve the national goal of net zero by 2045.
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PART 6: VALIDATION & DECLARATION 6a Internal validation process Briefly describe the body’s internal validation process, if any, of the data or information contained within this report. The Climate Emergency Lead Officer was identified for coordinating data compilation for the report, with data being collated from across services by 3 members within the Policy and Commissioning team. The report was reviewed and signed off by the Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads. The Planning and Climate Change Board reviewed, validated and approved this report on 7th November 2023. 6b Peer validation process Briefly describe the body’s peer validation process, if any, of the data or information contained within this report. n/a – working with other Local Authorities to create a peer validation network for coming years. 6c External validation process Briefly describe the body’s external validation process, if any, of the data or information contained within this report. The emissions data used within the Council's Plan for Net Zero was validated by Aether consultants as part of an emissions baselining and trajectory exercise. Planning Performance Framework: In order to monitor service performance and the commitment to improve planning services all planning authorities are required to prepare a Planning Performance Framework on an annual basis. The framework gives a measure of the quality of the planning service using a set of Performance Markers and is used to identify and encourage ongoing improvements. The Scottish Government provides feedback on each Planning Performance Framework. The Report contains both qualitative and quantitative elements of performance and set out proposals for service improvement. The Framework captures key elements of a high-performing planning service, such as: • speed of decision-making • certainty of timescales, process and advice • delivery of good quality development • project management • clear communications and open engagement An efficient and well-functioning planning service is recognised as facilitating sustainable economic growth and delivering high quality places with homes, infrastructure and investment in the right places. Renfrewshire Council have demonstrated through the Planning Performance Framework that it delivers a Planning Service that assists in providing a wide range of public benefits such as high quality, warm and secure homes, sustainable development in the right places, protection and enhancement of Renfrewshire’s assets, economic prosperity for Renfrewshire and the City Region as well as helping to meet climate change goals and obligations. Strategic Environmental Assessment: As a responsible authority the Council is required to assess, consult and monitor the likely impacts of its plans, programmes and strategies on the environment. Strategic Environmental Assessment is a key component of sustainable development, establishing important methods for protecting the environment and extending opportunities for public participation in decision making. Strategic Environmental Assessment achieves this by systematically assessing and monitoring the significant environmental effects of public sector strategies, plans and programmes ensuring that expertise and views are sought at various points in the process from NatureScot, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Historic Environment Scotland and the public. The Local Development Plan and other strategies and plans that have evolved from the Local Development Plan have been the subject of a Strategic Environmental Assessment, where climate change and associated factors such as flooding were specific considerations of the assessment. The Strategic Environmental Assessment ensures that the environment is given the same level of consideration as social and economic factors. Local Development Plan Examination: The Local Development Plan must be subject to independent examination. The adopted Renfrewshire Local Development Plan (2021) was subject to examination prior to its adoption. The Local Development Plan examination dealt with issues that have arose through the Proposed Plan that remained unresolved. The outstanding objections were subject to Examination by Independent Reporters appointed to act on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. The Reporters weighed up the issues whilst considering input from a variety of sources and stakeholders before reaching a conclusion and a recommendation. On completion of the Examination, the Reporter prepared and published their recommendations and submitted it to Renfrewshire Council. The Examination report and the Council’s responses to the Reporter’s recommendations was made available for public inspection. The Examination process for the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2021 considered 1,444 representations which were split into 23 separate issues. The conclusions and recommendations of the Reporters were set out in the Examination Report into the Proposed Renfrewshire Local Development Plan which was published on the 2 February 2021. The Examination Report concluded that the Spatial Strategy and policy framework of the Proposed Plan was appropriate and consistent with Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan and Scottish Planning Policy. 6d No validation process If any information provided in this report has not been validated, identify the information in question and explain why it has not been validated. n/a 6e Declaration I confirm that the information in this report is accurate and provides a fair representation of the body’s performance in relation to climate change. Name: Gerard Hannah Role in the body: Head of Climate, Public Protection & Roads Date: 30th October 2023