Agenda Document Pack - Climate Change and Sustainability Committee - 26/04/2023
South Lanarkshire Council · 26 April 2023
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 26 April 2023 and its agenda
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Council Offices, Almada Street Hamilton, ML3 0AA Tuesday, 18 April 2023 Dear Councillor Climate Change and Sustainability Committee The Members listed below are requested to attend a meeting of the above Committee to be held as follows:- Date: Wednesday, 26 April 2023 Time: 10:00 Venue: Hybrid - Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA The business to be considered at the meeting is listed overleaf. Yours sincerely Cleland Sneddon Chief Executive Members Mark McGeever (Chair), Kirsten Robb (Depute Chair), Joe Fagan (ex officio), Alex Allison, John Anderson, Ralph Barker, Janine Calikes, Maureen Chalmers, Ross Clark, Margaret Cooper, Colin Dewar, Ross Gowland, Lynsey Hamilton, Gavin Keatt, Ross Lambie, Richard Lockhart, Katy Loudon, Julia Marrs, Monique McAdams, Lesley McDonald, Elaine McDougall, Carol Nugent, Mo Razzaq, John Ross, Dr Ali Salamati, Graham Scott, Bert Thomson, Margaret B Walker Substitutes Walter Brogan, Robert Brown, Andy Carmichael, Gerry Convery, Poppy Corbett, Andrea Cowan, Allan Falconer, Gladys Ferguson-Miller, Elise Frame, Mark Horsham, Martin Hose, Richard Nelson, David Watson 1
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BUSINESS 1 Declaration of Interests 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting Minutes of the meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee held on 8 February 2023 submitted for approval as a correct record. (Copy attached) 3 - 8 Item(s) for Noting 3 Climate Change Milestones and Position Statement Report dated 6 April 2023 by the Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources). (Copy attached) 9 - 22 4 Current Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Standards Within New Council Properties Joint report dated 3 April 2023 by the Executive Directors (Community and Enterprise Resources) and (Housing and Technical Resources). (Copy attached) 23 - 30 Urgent Business 5 Urgent Business Any other items of business which the Chair decides are urgent. For further information, please contact:- Clerk Name: Susan Somerville Clerk Telephone: 07557 323097 Clerk Email: susan.somerville@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 2
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CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE Minutes of meeting held via Confero and in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton on 8 February 2023 Chair: Councillor Mark McGeever Councillors Present: Councillor Alex Allison, Councillor John Anderson, Councillor Ralph Barker, Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Councillor Ross Clark, Councillor Gerry Convery (substitute for Councillor Lynsey Hamilton), Councillor Colin Dewar, Councillor Elise Frame (substitute for Councillor John Ross), Councillor Ross Gowland, Councillor Mark Horsham (substitute for Councillor Janine Calikes), Councillor Gavin Keatt, Councillor Ross Lambie, Councillor Katy Loudon, Councillor Julia Marrs, Councillor Elaine McDougall, Councillor Carol Nugent, Councillor Mo Razzaq, Councillor Kirsten Robb (Depute), Councillor Dr Ali Salamati, Councillor Graham Scott, Councillor Margaret B Walker Councillors' Apologies: Councillor Janine Calikes, Councillor Margaret Cooper, Councillor Joe Fagan (ex officio), Councillor Lynsey Hamilton, Councillor Richard Lockhart, Councillor Monique McAdams, Councillor Lesley McDonald, Councillor John Ross, Councillor Bert Thomson Attending: Community and Enterprise Resources D Booth, Executive Director; K Allan, Sustainable Development Officer; A Brown, Head of Enterprise and Sustainable Development; K Carr, Head of Facilities, Waste and Grounds; C Reid, Grounds Manager; G Simpson, Development Officer; J Richmond, Carbon Management Officer Finance and Corporate Resources P MacRae, Administration Adviser; K McLeod, Administration Assistant Chair’s Opening Remarks The Chair congratulated Alison Brown on her recent appointment to the post of Head of Enterprise and Sustainable Development and welcomed her to her first meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee. 1 Declaration of Interests No interests were declared. 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the meeting of the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee held on 9 November 2022 were submitted for approval as a correct record. The Committee decided: that the minutes be approved as a correct record. 3 Pesticide Free Council Motion - Update A report dated 25 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) was submitted on the trials undertaken with regard to alternative weed control methods. 2 3
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At its meeting on 16 December 2020, the Council considered a motion proposing that it become a pesticide free Council. Reports had been submitted to the Committee at its meetings on 10 February and 25 August 2021 and 2 February 2022 which provided updates on the trials undertaken in relation to weed control and it had been agreed that a further report would be provided in early 2023. While undertaking the series of trials, Grounds Services had continued to use glyphosate-based herbicide applications on a range of surfaces in the absence of a reliable and affordable alternative. Reasons for using herbicide were outlined in Appendix 1 to the report. The Service had, however, reduced the application on certain areas such as grass verges and had amended the time for application in school grounds to coincide with the school holidays. There had been a 30% reduction in usage of glyphosate since December 2020 as a result of the work undertaken to reduce usage in specific areas and trials of appropriate alternatives. Details of the trials undertaken by the Service were provided in Appendix 2 to the report. As a result of the trials on the respective products or methods, the following action was proposed:- glyphosate – continue and review locations to further reduce usage hot foam – continue and expand usage hot steam – discontinue usage manual – continue in small areas mankar lances – continue and increase usage new way spray – discontinue usage pedestrian brushing – continue in small areas mechanical brushing – continue and expand into areas with slabbed paths mechanical thermal – discontinue usage Officers responded to members’ questions on various aspects of the report and confirmed that a further progress report on the matter would be submitted to the Committee in 2024. The Committee decided: (1) that the report be noted, and (2) that the recommendations in relation to the various methods of weed control, as outlined in sections 4.4 and 4.6 of the report, be approved. [Reference: Minutes of 2 February 2022 (Paragraph 6)] 4 Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy 2022 to 2027 Action Plan A report dated 24 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) was submitted on the Council’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy (SDCCS) 2022 to 2027 5-year action plan, and the associated improvement actions for 2023/2024. At its meeting on 15 June 2022, the Council approved the final draft of the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy (SDCCS) together with the proposed vision, themes and priorities. The Strategy set out outcomes and actions organised around the following 4 key themes which aligned with the Council Plan:- People Place and Communities 4
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The Natural Environment (Planet) A Green Economy (Planet) Delivery of actions within the Strategy provided the main focus for the Council's sustainable development activity and the fulfilment of its duties in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003, the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 and the Council’s contribution to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. The Strategy Action Plan set out specific actions to be undertaken to deliver objectives under each of the 4 themes. The action plan was monitored using IMPROVe and would be reported to future meetings of the Committee at Quarter 2 and Quarter 4 each year. Details of the longer term improvement actions for the term of the Strategy were provided in Appendix 1 to the report. The action plan was produced following extensive consultation with all Council Resources and key Services throughout the Council. The proposed 5-year action plan, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, had been split into the 13 main priorities agreed as part of the development of the SDCCS. Each action had also been mapped to the 4 main themes of the SDCCS. Each theme included:- performance measures - providing information on how well the Council was performing against the strategic outcomes in the Strategy contextual measures - providing a health check against outcomes improvement actions - that would be taken during the term of the action plan to respond to the challenges ahead and contribute to meeting the outcomes in the Strategy Whilst each action had been allocated to one heading, many actions contributed to more than one priority. Details of the shorter term improvement actions for 2023/2024 were provided in Appendix 2 to the report. A one year action plan had been produced and agreed with key Services throughout the Council. For each action, the Plan included details of:- steps to be taken the Lead Council Service expected outcomes If approved, progress updates would be reported to future meetings of the Committee at Quarter 2 and Quarter 4 using the Council’s corporate reporting system, IMPROVe. There followed a full discussion during which officers:- responded to members’ questions on various aspects of the report undertook to provide reports on the following to future meetings of the Committee:- update on the pilot project in relation to food waste, following the evaluation process progress on an area wide route map to reduce emissions confirmed that the word “local” would be added after “sustainable” at the third action in Priority 1 of Appendix 1 The Chair reminded Members of the opportunity to attend Climate Emergency training. The Committee decided: (1) that the 5 year (2022 to 2027) Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy Action Plan, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, as amended, be approved; and 5
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(2) that the one year 2023/2024 Action Plan, containing shorter term improvement actions, as detailed at Appendix 2 of the report, be approved. [Reference: Minutes of South Lanarkshire Council of 15 June 2022 (Paragraph 6)] 5 Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy Action Plan - Quarter 2 Progress Report 2022/2023 A report dated 24 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) was submitted on the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy (SDCCS) Quarter 2 Progress Report 2022/2023, for the period 1 April to 30 September 2022. The Council’s SDCCS covered a 5 year period from 2022 to 2027. Delivery of actions within the Strategy provided the main focus for sustainable development activity over the period and enabled the Council to fulfil its duties under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003, the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Council’s contribution to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. The SDCCS Action Plan for 2022/2023, which was an interim plan to allow work to continue with Services and Resources across the Council to develop the longer term actions covering the 5- year period of the Strategy, contained 28 performance measures towards the Strategy’s outcomes, together with 47 improvement actions. The measures were rated using a traffic light system of green, amber or red, while the improvement actions were rated using green, amber or red as well as blue which indicated that an action had been completed. Of the 28 measures within the SDCCS, at the end of Quarter 2, the position was as follows:- 5 had been achieved or were on course to be achieved (green) 1 had minor slippage against timescale or minor shortfall against target (amber) 1 had seen major slippage against timescale or against target (red) 11 would be reported later when data was available 10 were contextual and provided a health check for South Lanarkshire The measure which had been classified as red related to the percentage of household waste which was recycled and details of the reasons for slippage, together with management action being taken, were provided in the report. The amber performance measure related to household waste recycled at the Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres. The year to date figure at Quarter 2 was 57.7%, which was below the target of 64.5%. Factors such as the large amount of non-recyclable waste being brought into the sites by members of the public had contributed to the lower recycling performance. Of the 47 improvement actions within the SDCCS, at the end of Quarter 2:- 3 had been completed (blue) 35 had been achieved or were on course to be achieved (green) 6 had seen some minor slippage against targets (amber) 3 would be reported later when data was available There were no actions which had been categorised as red. For the 6 amber improvement measures that had minor slippage, details were provided on management action being taken to ensure no further slippage. Progress on all objectives, actions and measures were contained in the Quarter 2 performance report for 2022/2023, attached as an appendix to the report, and key achievements for the first 6 months of 2022/2023 were highlighted in the report. Officers responded to a member’s question on the progress of recruitment to various posts. 6
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The Committee decided: that the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy Action Plan Quarter 2 Progress Report 2022/2023 be noted. 6 Urgent Business There were no items of urgent business. 7
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Report Report to: Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Date of Meeting: 26 April 2023 Report by: Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) Subject: Climate Change Milestones and Position Statement 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- inform the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee on the key national milestones relating to Scotland’s climate change and net zero ambitions 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Committee is asked to approve the following recommendations:- [recs] (1) that the key climate change milestones and the Council’s current position statement be noted. 3. Background 3.1. Scotland has set climate targets within legislation, to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030, 90% by 2040 and a total reduction from the 1990 baseline by 2045. 3.2. The statutory framework for climate action and reporting is outlined by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Climate Change (Public Duties) (Scotland) Act. 3.3. Section 44 of Part 4 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 entered into force on 1 January 2011 and states that a public body must, in exercising its functions, act:- in the way best calculated to contribute to the delivery of Scotland’s national emissions reduction targets (known as ‘mitigation’) in the way best calculated to help deliver Scotland’s statutory climate change adaptation programme in a way that it considers is most sustainable 3.4. All public bodies listed in Schedule 1 of the ‘Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies; Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015’ as amended by the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020, are required to report annually on compliance with climate change duties established under S44 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and in accordance with Schedule 2 of the 2015 Order. The 2020 Amendment Order set out additional annual reporting requirements with effect from 1 April 2021. 3 9
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4. Key Climate Change Milestones 4.1. The key milestones relating to Scotland’s national climate change ambitions are detailed at Appendix 1. It should be noted that this is not considered to be an exhaustive list of targets relating to climate change within the Scottish Government policy and planning. 4.2. The list is delineated by key categories which are instrumental to achieving Scotland’s climate change ambitions; these are Buildings, Transport, Waste, Energy, Agriculture and Land Use, Biodiversity and Nature and Mitigation and Adaptation. 4.3. The list of milestones references the targets noted in key cross-cutting policy documents which are instrumental to achieving Scotland’s net zero ambitions, such as, but not limited to; Scotland’s Climate Change Plan, The Heat in Buildings Strategy, Scotland’s National Transport Strategy and Making Things Last: A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland. 4.4. The implementation level detailed in the table is split between an organisational, area and national approach. A red symbol ( ) has been included for those targets which places a specific onus upon public bodies. 4.5. However, as noted in 3.3, the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires public sector organisations to act in a way best calculated to achieve Scotland’s emissions reductions targets and so all targets are relevant for the Council regardless of implementation level. 5. Council Position Statement 5.1. A high-level position statement detailing South Lanarkshire Council’s ongoing progress towards Scotland’s national climate change milestones is detailed at Appendix 2. The position statement has been collated through liaison with key Resources within the Council. 5.2. The position statements mainly focus upon targets with the red symbol, as these are deemed most relevant for public sector implementation. Future action on these is included in the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy 2022 to 2027 action plans. 6. Next Steps 6.1. It is the Council’s ambition to provide a further update to this Committee towards the end of 2023, and to be transparent on the overall achievability of Scotland’s climate change milestones. 7. Employee Implications 7.1. All Resources are required to be aware and contribute to the implementation of the milestones, to ensure that actions and targets are met. All Resources are required to contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy 2022 to 2027. The Carbon Management Officer and Sustainable Development Officer report progress towards the strategy at both Q2 and Q4. 8. Financial Implications 8.1. Climate change mitigation up to now has largely been achieved within current budgets and from additional capital funds but further financial consideration will be required for the Council to contribute to the challenging national targets and plans. 8.2. As previously reported, the amended order for the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 introduced a Statutory Instrument highlighting the need to report how we align 10
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spending plans and use of resources to contribute to meeting our carbon emission reduction targets. 9. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 9.1. The milestones outlined in this report represent how Scotland can achieve its climate change, sustainability and environmental targets. The carbon management and sustainable development process demonstrates the Council’s commitment to contribute to national targets and to the global sustainable development goals. 10. Other Implications 10.1. ‘Failure to meet sustainable development and climate change objectives’ is one of the top risks for the Council, with a score of 15. Without a plan in place and a financial plan to support it then this risk will continue to be one of the Council's top risks. 11. Equality Impact Assessment and Consultation Arrangements 11.1. This report does not introduce a new policy, function or strategy or recommend a change to an existing policy, function or strategy and, therefore, no impact assessment is required. The Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy 2022 to 2027 has undergone full Strategic Environmental Assessment and Equality Impact Assessments. David Booth Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) 6 April 2023 Link(s) to Council Values/Priorities/Outcomes Values Fair, open and sustainable Priorities We will work towards a sustainable future in sustainable places Outcomes Good quality, suitable and sustainable places to live Caring, connected, sustainable communities Previous References None List of Background Papers Sustainable Development Strategy 2022-2027 Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect the background papers or want further information, please contact: - Kirsten Allan Sustainable Development Officer E-mail : Kirsten.Allan@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 11
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Appendix 1: Scotland’s Climate Change Milestones N.B: The milestones outlined in the table below are not an exhaustive list. N.B: The implementation level detailed in the table below is split between an organisation, area and national approach. However, please note the information detailed within the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the onus placed upon public bodies. - details targets which placed a specific onus upon a public body. 12
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Ref No Sector ID Milestone Implementation Level Key Cross-Cutting Policies SLC Area Scotland 1.0 Net Zero Scotland 1.1 • Become a net zero greenhouse gas emitting nation by 2045, with interim targets of 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040 with a total reduction against 1990 baseline levels by 2045 • The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 • Climate Change (Emissions Reductions Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Public Bodies Climate Change Duties 2.0 Buildings 2.1 • All new buildings including non-domestic buildings where a building warrant is applied for from 2024 to use zero emissions heating and cooling. • Heat in Buildings Strategy • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2.2 • At least 1.2 million homes and 50,000 non-domestic buildings to receive low carbon heating systems by 2030 • Heat in Buildings Strategy • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2.3 • The Voluntary Net Zero Public Buildings Standard will feed into work to introduce mandatory standards across the non-domestic sector more widely from 2023-25 onwards. • A series of phased targets will be introduced, starting in 2024, for all publicly owned buildings to meet zero emission heating requirements with a backstop of 2038. • Heat in Buildings Strategy • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2.4 • By 2030 a large majority of buildings should achieve a good level of energy efficiency (EPC band C for homes), with all owner-occupied homes meeting EPC band C by 2033 • Heat in Buildings Strategy • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 13
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Ref No Sector ID Milestone Implementation Level Key Cross-Cutting Policies SLC Area Scotland 2.5 • A 75% reduction in emissions from buildings by 2030 and a 90% reduction in emissions from buildings by 2040, with net zero backstop of 2045 • Heat in Buildings Strategy • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2.6 • Phase out the need to install new or replacement fossil fuel boilers (private rental housing and owner occupied) in off-gas areas from 2025 and in on-gas areas by 2030 and install net zero emission heating and cooling supply • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Heat in Buildings Strategy 2.7 • Social housing to reach a good level of energy efficiency, equivalent to EPC B where feasible and cost effective by 2032 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Heat in Buildings Strategy • Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (post 2020) 2.8 • Local Authorities to develop and implement Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES) by end of 2023 • Heat in Buildings Strategy 3.0 Transport 3.1 • Reduce km travelled by car by 20% against 2019 levels by 2030 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • National Transport Strategy • Transport Scotland’s Route Map 3.2 • No new petrol or diesel car and van sales by 2030 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • National Transport Strategy 3.3 • To reduce emissions from the transport sector by around 56% by 2030 against a 2019 baseline • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • National Transport Strategy 14
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Ref No Sector ID Milestone Implementation Level Key Cross-Cutting Policies SLC Area Scotland 3.4 • Phase out petrol and diesel cars from public sector fleet and phase out the need for any new petrol and diesel light commercial vehicles by 2025 (Jan or Dec) • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • National Transport Strategy 3.5 • Phasing out of all new petrol/diesel vehicles in public sector by 2030 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • National Transport Strategy 3.6 • Full decarbonisation of scheduled flights in Scotland by 2040 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • National Transport Strategy 3.7 • Reduced car dominance and single-occupancy vehicle journeys by 2032 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 3.8 • 30% of Scottish Government owned ferries to be low emissions by 2032 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 3.9 • Majority of new buses to be net zero emissions by 2025 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 4.0 Waste 4.1 • Recycling/composting of 70% of all residual wastes by 2025 • Making Things Last: a circular economy strategy for Scotland • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 4.2 • To reduce total waste arising in Scotland by 15% against 2011 levels • Making Things Last: a circular economy strategy for Scotland • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 15
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Ref No Sector ID Milestone Implementation Level Key Cross-Cutting Policies SLC Area Scotland 4.3 • End landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste by 2025 • Making Things Last: a circular economy strategy for Scotland • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 4.4 • Reduce food waste by 33% by 2025 against 2013 baselines • Food Waste Reduction Action Plan • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Making Things Last: a circular economy strategy for Scotland 4.5 • To reduce all food waste arising in Scotland and work with industry to reduce on-farm losses of edible produce • Making Things Last: a circular economy strategy for Scotland 4.6 • To send no more than 5% of remaining wastes to landfill by 2025 • Making Things Last: a circular economy strategy for Scotland 4.7 • Bio-waste to be separated and segregated at source, or collected separately and not mixed with other waste by 2025 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 4.8 • Implementation of Deposit Return Scheme by 2023 • Making Things Last: a circular economy strategy for Scotland 16
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Ref No Sector ID Milestone Implementation Level Key Cross-Cutting Policies SLC Area Scotland 5.0 Energy 5.1 • 50% of the energy for Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity consumption to come from renewables by 2030 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Scottish Energy Strategy • Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 5.2 • All local authorities to establish local heat and energy efficiency strategies (LHEES) by the end of 2023 • Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (Scotland) 2022 • Heat in Buildings Strategy 5.3 • CARES – 2GW of renewable energy to be community or locally owned by 2030 • Community and Renewable Energy Scheme • Scotland’s Energy and Just Transition Plan 5.4 • By 2040 no more than 5% of households are in fuel poverty, no more than 1% are in extreme fuel poverty and the fuel poverty gap is no more than £350 (in 2015 prices) • Heat in Buildings Strategy • Tackling Fuel Poverty in Scotland Strategy • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 5.5 • Combined supply of thermal energy by heat networks to reach 2.6 TWh of output by 2027 and 6 TWH of output by 2030 • The Heat Networks Scotland Act • Heat in Buildings Strategy 5.6 • At least 22% of heat in buildings to be directly supplied from renewable sources by 2030 (provisional) • Heat in Buildings Strategy 6.0 6.1 • At least 20,000ha of peatland restored annually by 2030 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 17
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Ref No Sector ID Milestone Implementation Level Key Cross-Cutting Policies SLC Area Scotland Agriculture and Land Use 6.2 • At least 18,000ha of new woodlands created annually by 2025 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Forestry Strategy 6.3 • Create 3000-5000ha of new native woodland per year, restore approximately 10000ha of new native woodland by 2030 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Forestry Strategy 6.4 • Achieve 18,000ha of tree planting annually by 2024 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 6.5 • Increase Scottish wood products in construction to 3 million m3 by 2032 • Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 6.6 • Agriculture to reduce emissions by 31% from 2019 levels by 2032 • Scotland’s Vision for Agriculture 7.0 Biodiversity and Nature 7.1 • A nature positive Scotland by 2030 • Biodiversity Strategy • Scotland’s Environment Strategy 7.2 • Restored and regenerated biodiversity across Scotland by 2045 particularly at ecosystem levels • Biodiversity Strategy • Scotland’s Environment Strategy 7.3 • At least 30% of our lands and sea to achieve protected status by 2030 • Biodiversity Strategy 18
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Ref No Sector ID Milestone Implementation Level Key Cross-Cutting Policies SLC Area Scotland 8.0 Mitigation and Adaptation 8.1 • On mitigation, Councils must act in a way best calculated to achieve the delivery of the climate change targets • The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 • Climate Change (Emissions Reductions Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 • Scotland’s Climate Change Plan • Public Bodies Climate Change Duties 8.2 • On adaptation, Councils must act in a way best calculated to deliver any climate change adaptation programme. • Climate Ready Scotland: Climate Change Adaptation Programme • Civil Contingencies Act (2004) • Planning Etc (Scotland) Act 2006 19
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Appendix 2: South Lanarkshire Council Position Statement Ref No. Sector ID Department/Resource SLC Position Statement 1.0 Net Zero Scotland 1.1 All resources SLC has achieved a carbon emissions reduction of 65% against 2005 baseline. SLC’s total CO2 tonnes equivalent was calculated as 55,798 Co2te for 2021-2022. SDCCS 2022-2027 and 5-year action plan aiming to work towards quantifying previously out of boundary emissions, therefore, organisation’s carbon footprint may increase considerably. The council would aim towards zero direct carbon emissions by 2038, which focuses on the use of fossil fuel such as gas, petrol and diesel used in our buildings and fleet. This target is in line with the ambitious public sector targets detailed in Scotland’s Climate Change Plan and Scotland’s Heat in Buildings Strategy. 2.0 Buildings 2.1 Housing and Technical Resources In domestic properties to accelerate the introduction of zero emissions heating systems ahead of 2024, new homes built with grant funding applied for after 01/12/23 will be prohibited from installing direct emissions heating systems. 2.3 Housing and Technical Resources A review is underway of the implications of the new building standards on new build design specifications. Several feasibility studies are being undertaken to assess works required to meet decarbonisation targets. 2.7 Housing and Technical Resources The 2020 EESSH milestone is temporarily on hold pending the outcome of a review which is expected to be completed in Summer 2023. Until then the EESSH1 milestone, which social housing should meet since the end of December 2020, continues to apply. Currently 91.81% of Council homes are at EPC Band C or above. 2.8 Housing and Technical Resources A cross-Resource officer working group has been set up to take forward the development of LHEES. The group will be assisted by our environmental consultants Changeworks who will be re-appointed to support the development of the LHEES and Delivery Plan. 3.0 Transport 3.4 CER Fleet Services 35% of our fleet of cars are electric, and with the necessary funding we have a strategy for how to replace the remaining fossil fuelled cars with electric. Additional funding for and installation of charging infrastructure will also be required. 3.5 CER Fleet Services Still considering options for the wide range of vehicles for which there are no readily available low carbon alternatives. Hydrogen is not considered appropriate at this time due to the costs of vehicles and availability of fuel. 4.0 Waste 4.1 CER Facilities, Waste and Grounds We will undertake a review of our kerbside refuse collection services in 2023-24 to identify what we can do to improve our recycling and composting rates and reduce the amount of residual waste generated. 20
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Scotland’s Key Climate Change Milestones - Public sector specific target Ref No. Sector ID Department/Resource SLC Position Statement 4.2- 4.7 CER Facilities, Waste and Grounds We will work with stakeholders, including waste contractors and householders to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. 5.0 Energy 5.2 All resources A cross-Resource officer working group has been set up to take forward the development of LHEES. The group will be assisted by our environmental consultants Changeworks who will be re-appointed to support the development of the LHEES and Delivery Plan. 6.0 Agriculture and Land Use 6.1 CER Facilities, Waste and Grounds We will address Peatland Restoration at the South Lanarkshire scale in the forthcoming South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Strategy, and coordinate opportunities with Clyde Peatlands Project. 6.2- 6.4 CER Facilities, Waste and Grounds We will contribute to the 18,000 ha per annum target through supporting the delivery of the Clyde Climate Forest initiative. 7.0 Biodiversity and Nature 7.1- 7.2 CER Facilities, Waste and Grounds We will address Nature Positive at the South Lanarkshire scale in the forthcoming South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Strategy, and for the Council in the forthcoming SLC Biodiversity Duty Implementation Plan. We will continue to develop and deliver a SLC Nature Restoration Programme on SLC land. 7.3 CER Facilities, Waste and Grounds We will use the South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Strategy and the SLC State of the Environment Report (Planning) to evaluate the current extent of protected areas in South Lanarkshire and use the SLC Biodiversity Duty Implementation Plan to evaluate the current extent of SLC land that is currently protected. 8.0 Mitigation and Adaptation 8.1 All resources Mitigation – see comments listed under 1.0. 8.2 All resources Adaptation specific actions are outlined within SDCCS 2022-2027 5 -year Action Plan, including the establishment of an adaptation working group to undertake a capability assessment utilising Adaptation Scotland’s Benchmarking Tool. Adaptation is embedded throughout the Local Development Plan 2 2020-2025 (Policy 1 Spatial Planning, Policy 2 Climate Change, Policy 13 Green Network and Greenspace and Policy 16 Water Environment and Flooding). Moreover, climate adaptation is also incorporated into Biodiversity Strategy 2018-2022 Chapter 3. Adaptation is also central to Local Flood Risk Management Plans (Clyde and Loch Lomond and Tweed). Local Transport Strategy Objective 6 is to mitigate, adapt and manage the effects of climate change, including flooding, on transport infrastructure and communities. 21
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Report Agenda Item Report to: Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Date of Meeting: 26 April 2023 Report by: Executive Director (Housing and Technical Resources) Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) Subject: Current Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Standards Within New Council Properties 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of this report is to advise the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee on:- the current energy efficiency and sustainability standards achieved within the Council’s own new domestic and non-domestic properties 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Committee is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- (1) that the current energy efficiency and sustainability standards achieved within the Council’s own new domestic and non-domestic properties be noted. 3. Background 3.1. South Lanarkshire Council currently manages a domestic estate of over 25,000 council homes and over 500 non-domestic buildings including schools, offices, community centres and leisure facilities. 3.2. The Council’s domestic estate is managed and maintained through the Housing Revenue Account, with new properties funded through a combination of existing tenant rental income, prudential borrowing and Scottish Government grant. The council’s non-domestic estate is maintained through a planned maintenance programme, with funding for new buildings provided from the Council’s capital programme and external funding bodies following a successful bid for relevant funding streams. 3.3. A range of key Council strategies and plans detail actions and measures on improving the sustainability associated with the council’s domestic and non-domestic estate. In relation to new council buildings:- priority five of the Council’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy 2022 to 2027 sets out key actions for the council to progress a transition to net-zero, energy efficient and climate resilient homes, buildings and infrastructure. This includes actions to reduce emissions from new buildings and reduce construction waste through the Local Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027 actions exist to explore opportunities to increase the proportion of council homes, including new homes, 4 23
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that meet the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing Phase 2 (EESSH2), develop a new Planning led ‘residential design guide’ that will encourage developers to increase standards, including those relating to sustainability within the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2023 to 2028 (SHIP), the Council and its Registered Social Landlord partners are committed to delivering new-build homes built to the silver standard in respect of both the carbon dioxide emissions and Energy for Space Heating elements the 2021 Corporate Asset Management Plan sets out priorities for non-domestic buildings, including commitments to ‘create an efficient, fit-for-purpose and sustainable core estate’ within the limitations of existing budgets and resources 3.4. At the full Council meeting on 1 December 2022, a motion was approved that requires the Council to consider opportunities to improve energy efficiency and sustainability standards within its domestic and non-domestic estate further. Opportunities to progress this within existing budgets and resources are currently being considered and a formal response to the motion will be presented to the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee on 14 June 2023. 4. Current Standards Within New Council Domestic Properties 4.1. Approved at Executive Committee on 30 November 2022, the Council set a new target for 1,300 additional council homes to be delivered by the end of 2027/2028. This target is anticipated to be achieved through a combination of new build properties and the purchase of existing former council properties, continuing on from the previous target of 1,000 additional council homes set in 2017. 4.2. In line with current guidance, grant conditions and budget assumptions, the new council homes built since 2017, and those currently being delivered as part of the new target, generally achieve the ‘bronze level of sustainability’, with certain aspects achieving the ‘silver standard’ including those relating to both carbon dioxide emissions and Energy for Space Heating. 4.3. Bronze level is the baseline level for sustainability achieved where a domestic or non- domestic property meets the functional standards set out in Sections 1 to 6 of the Building Standards Technical Handbooks. Further details on these standards and the wider Handbooks have been provided in Appendix 1. 4.4. Opportunities to increase more aspects of the council property to the silver level of sustainability are considered on a project-by-project basis, however, are dependent on increased levels of grant and internal capital funding being available to achieve this. Recent cost increases relating to construction are impacting the ability to further increase sustainability standards, however, with the Building Cost Information Service, reporting on behalf of the Scottish Government, noting a 22.4% increase in housing tender prices in early 2022 against the previous year. 4.5. In relation to the Energy Efficiency Standards for Social Housing (EESSH (Phase 1 and 2), all new council properties achieve this, being awarded an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B. The second phase of EESSH is currently under review by the Scottish Government, with the outcome of this expected later in 2023. 5. Current Standards Within New Council Non-domestic Properties 5.1. Unlike the domestic properties detailed in section 4, the Council does not have a significant new build programme for its non-domestic properties. Where new non- domestic buildings are built by the council, however, these adhere to the same standards set out for domestic properties as detailed within the Building Standards Handbooks. As with domestic properties, opportunities for the Council to improve 24
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these required standards are considered on a project-by-project basis and determined by the grant and capital funding available. 5.2. The last significant programme involving new or replacement non-domestic properties was the Council’s primary school modernisation programme that ran between 2004 and 2019. As part of this, a range of energy efficiency and sustainability measures were considered and installed on the 125 buildings that were replaced, including:- 47% of the new primary schools and nurseries have solar PV panels installed, generating enough electricity to power approximately 5% of the total annual primary school and nursery estate 38% of the new primary schools having low carbon intensity biomass/fossil fuel hybrid heating systems installed 11% of the new primary schools having heating provided by either Ground Source or Air Source Heat pumps in off-gas grid locations 5.3. The Council continues to identify funding opportunities to enhance the requirements set out with the aim of improving overall sustainability across its non-domestic estate. This includes recent success with accessing the national Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) funding for the Newton Farm Primary School extension in Cambuslang. Through LEIP, local authorities fund upfront the delivery of new or refurbished assets so that children and young people, educators and wider communities can benefit from the outcomes which this improved estate will enable. Scottish Government revenue funding will then be provided to local authorities through an annual payment over 25 years to recognise the outcomes achieved. 6. Next Steps 6.1. A range of developments are currently being progressed at a national and local level which may result in changes to the statutory and non-statutory requirements or guidance the council should be adhering to as part of its new buildings. These may require amendments to the current design and sustainability specifications utilised for new council buildings and include:- revisions to the Building Regulations taking effect in June 2023 where it is proposed that, from 2024, all new buildings will no longer be able to be heated with “direct emission heating systems development of a new Planning led Residential Design Guide, as detailed within the Local Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027, for all developers in South Lanarkshire that would encourage higher sustainability standards for new domestic buildings the current specifications set out within EESSH2 are being reviewed by the Scottish Government to ensure it remains compatible the current specifications set out within the national Housing for Varying Needs standard are also being reviewed 6.2. Once details of these proposed changes are known in full, the Council will review its design specifications for its new domestic properties and make the required amendments to ensure it maintains compliance. 6.3. The Council will continue to maximise opportunities to enhance sustainability within its new domestic and non-domestic buildings, including through identifying appropriate external funding. 6.4. As detailed at 3.4, a formal response to the motion approved at full Council on 1 December 2022 is under development and will be presented to the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee on 14 June 2023. 25
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7. Employee Implications 7.1. There are no employee implications associated with this report. 8. Financial Implications 8.1. As part of the approval of the new 1,300 additional council home target by Executive Committee on 30 November 2022, the Council set out the financial implications associated with the delivery of the programme. This was based on assumptions relating to the grant levels, council borrowing rates and existing unit costs using current deign specification and identified that over a 40 year period the programme would have a neutral impact to the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan. 8.2. Financial implications from new non-domestic buildings considered by the Council to meet service needs or replace existing assets will be assessed as part of the feasibility of the project. 9. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 9.1. The contents within this report link with key priorities of the Local Housing Strategy. As part of the development of the Local Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027, a full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was undertaken with the report submitted to the SEA Gateway and published online for consultation. 9.2. This assessment identified that the design specification for future domestic projects will achieve higher energy standards reflecting enhanced building regulations and will, therefore, make a positive contribution to local and national sustainability and climate change targets. 10. Other Implications 10.1. There are no other implications associated with this report. 11. Equality Impact Assessment and Consultation Arrangements 11.1. Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) processes were also undertaken throughout the development of the key strategies aligned to this agenda, including the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy and Local Housing Strategy. These assessments aimed to identify and mitigate any negative impacts and seek opportunities to promote equality and found that the strategies would have no negative impacts on any protected characteristics groups and will have significant positive impacts in relation to age and disability. Stephen Gibson Executive Director (Housing and Technical Resources) David Booth Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) 3 April 2023 26
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Link(s) to Council Values/Priorities/Outcomes Accountable, effective, efficient and transparent Good quality, suitable and sustainable places to live Previous References Executive Committee, 30 November 2022, South Lanarkshire Council Housing Supply Target. Executive Committee, 30 November 2022, South Lanarkshire Local Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027. List of Background Papers South Lanarkshire Local Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027 South Lanarkshire Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy 2022 to 2027 South Lanarkshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2023 to 2028 South Lanarkshire Council Corporate Asset Management Plan 2021 Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect background papers or want further information, please contact: - Joanne Forbes Head of Property Services Ext: 4073 (Tel: 01698 454073) E-mail: joanne.forbes@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 27
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Appendix 1 Summary of Building Standards Technical Handbook 1.1 The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 gives Scottish Ministers the power to make building regulations to:- i. secure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about buildings and of others who may be affected by buildings or matters connected with buildings ii. further the conservation of fuel and power and iii. further the achievement of sustainable development 3.2 There are two Technical Handbooks issued by Scottish Ministers providing guidance on achieving the standards set out in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. One handbook covering domestic buildings and the other non-domestic buildings. The standards detailed within Sections 1 - 6 of the Handbooks deliver a level of sustainability in areas such as energy efficiency, surface water drainage and sound insulation. 3.3. The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 introduced a new section to the Building Regulations to cover Sustainability, as detailed below: “Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that: a. with regard to a dwelling or school building containing classrooms, a level of sustainability specified by the Scottish Ministers in respect of carbon dioxide emissions, resource use, building flexibility, adaptability and occupant well- being is achieved, b. with regard to a non-domestic building other than a school building containing classrooms, a level of sustainability specified by the Scottish Ministers in respect of carbon dioxide emissions is achieved, and c. a statement of the level of sustainability achieved is affixed to the dwelling or non-domestic building.” 3.4. The sustainability rating for a new domestic or non-domestic property will fall within one of the following levels: Bronze or Bronze Active, Silver or Silver Active or Gold. For each of these levels there are eight aspects as detailed in the tables below. Aspect No. Description 1 Carbon dioxide emissions 2 Energy for space heating 3 Energy for water heating 4 Water use efficiency 5 Optimising Performance 6 Flexibility and Adaptability 7 Well-being and security 8 Material use and waste Table 1: Aspects for Domestic properties 28
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Aspect No. Description 1 Carbon dioxide emissions 2 Energy for thermal comfort and artificial lighting 3 Water Efficiency 4 Biodiversity 5 Well-being 6 Flexibility and Adaptability 7 Material use and waste 8 Optimising Performance Table 2: Aspects for non-Domestic properties including schools with classrooms. 3.5. Bronze level is the baseline level for sustainability achieved where a dwelling or non- domestic property meets the functional standards set out in Sections 1 – 6 of the Technical Handbooks. Buildings that exceed Bronze, Bronze Active, Silver, Silver Active or Gold levels by achieving a higher level in one or more of the aspects above will be reflected on the sustainability label. However, the achievement of the next upper level will only be recognised once all aspects of that level have been included. See the example below for a new build domestic property where “Silver” level has been achieved for 2 aspects, however, the outcome for the sustainability rating remains at Bronze or Bronze Active level overall. Example of Sustainability Label for a Housing project completed as part of the Housing led Whitlawburn Regeneration in 2022. 29
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