Council Carbon Emissions and Carbon Literate Organisation (Clo) Bronze Award
Argyll and Bute Council · 11 May 2023
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 11 May 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD 11th May 2023 COUNCIL CARBON EMISSIONS & CARBON LITERATE ORGANISATION (CLO) BRONZE AWARD 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Scotland has some of the most ambitious targets and progressive legislation in terms of climate change in the world and the public sector is being promoted as playing a leading role towards achieving net zero by 2045. As with other public bodies it has been a requirement for Argyll & Bute Council to monitor, record and publish our carbon emissions and progression towards ‘net zero’ for the past 7 years. The most recent results from the national ‘Reporting Requirements’ are for the financial year 2021/22 and have been made available online. A ‘Summary Analysis’ report covering all submitting organisations is anticipated by Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) in April 2023 (although currently awaiting publication). 1.2 Around 160 public bodies (Councils, Health Boards, Government) from across Scotland submitted data in late 2022 about their carbon emissions. Our Council’s 2021/22 annual carbon emissions has generally followed a pattern that is consistent across the country akin to a small increase in emissions. This is generally understood to be connected with activities and services returning to normal after COVID-19 plus some ‘bounce back’ of the economy in terms of increased visitor numbers and business production in terms of waste. 1.3 Argyll & Bute Council saw our carbon emissions generated by our business activities increase by 6% in the twelve months of 2021/22. Our carbon footprint increased from 26,619 tCO2e to 28,218 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent), in 2020/21. The marginal increase in 2021/22 follows a downward trend for the four previous consecutive years and overall in past 8 years we have reduced emissions notably. Since reporting commenced in 2015/16 there has been a 28.4% reduction in emissions. The main factors contributing to this increase includes the gradual return of business and activity following the COVID-19 pandemic and increase in quantity of municipal waste collected in the reporting year. 1.4 Our Climate Change Board has overall responsibility for the ‘reporting requirements’ submission and continues to develop new ways to reduce the Council’s Carbon Footprint. Our Council adopted its second De- Carbonisation Plan in December 2021, recognising the importance of
Page 2
setting out a plan to achieve net zero by 2045. There are also ambitious interim targets of reaching a 75% reduction by 2030 which is only 7 years away. Rapid progression has been achieved in previous years through a variety of measures including energy efficiency works, movement away from fossil fuels to heat and power buildings, procuring more low emission vehicles, installing low energy streetlamps and generating renewable electricity through solar panels and wind turbines. Work will also continue on tackling the more enduring challenges in our waste including ban on landfill in coming years. 1.5 As part of tackling and reducing our Carbon Emissions, learning about Climate Change is hugely important. This will equip Councillors, staff and decision makers with the tools to make the most informed decisions in the context of a Just Transition and route net zero. Over the tail end of 2022 and early 2023 Argyll and Bute Council has been rolling out training to Councillors and Senior Staff. In March 2023 we achieved the nationally recognised Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) accreditation. We are one of only a small number of Councils to have achieved this accolade in Scotland via training delivered to elected members and senior officers within the Council. This training has been delivered by Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT), a member of the Council’s Climate Change Board. Further training for staff, Councillors and Communities is also being offered via ACT and Council 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 That the Policy & Resources Committee: 2.1.1 Consider the publication of the Council’s 2021/22 carbon emissions report that confirms a small 6% increase in emissions reported for the year, but that carbon dioxide emissions have still reduced by 28.4% in the past 7 years; and 2.1.2 Commend and promote the Council achievement of the Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) accolade noting that further training will be rolled out for staff, Councillors and Communities via ACT and Council.
Page 3
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD 11th May 2023 COUNCIL CARBON EMISSIONS & CARBON LITERATE ORGANISATION (CLO) BRONZE AWARD 3.0 INTRODUCTION 3.1 The Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015 requires the 180 public bodies classified as major players to prepare an annual “Report on Compliance with Climate Change Duties” (Schedule 2). Argyll and Bute Council is one of these organisations required to publish annual emissions since 2015. The most recent publication is now uploaded onto the Sustainable Scotland Network platform, with the ‘Summary Analysis’ report scheduled to be released in April 2023 for the reporting period 2021/22 (currently awaited). 3.2 The Climate Change Board report progress to the Policy and Resources Committee on a regular basis. This report outlines overarching activities of the Climate Change Board to the Council and is useful to provide a snapshot of the key contributors to Council emissions plus also successes and areas for improvement. The carbon footprint of the Council also aligns to the De-Carbonisation Plan which was adopted by the Council in 2021 which starts to provide a routemap towards net zero by 2045. It should be noted that the reporting requirements solely record the emissions of the Council as a business and do not reflect overall or regional emissions like local industry, private sector, personal travel etc. As reported elsewhere, as a region, Argyll and Bute remains one of the most favourable regional carbon footprints due to large land mass, high forest cover, low number of industrial polluters and low population. 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS That the Policy & Resources Committee: 4.1 Consider the publication of the Council’s 2021/22 carbon emissions report that confirms a small 6% increase in emissions reported for the year, but that carbon dioxide emissions have still reduced by 28.4% in the past 7 years; and 4.2 Commend and promote the Council achievement of the Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) accolade noting that further training will be rolled out for staff, Councillors and Communities via ACT and Council.
Page 4
5.0 BACKGROUND 5.1 Since 2015/16 Argyll & Bute Council has published data on its Carbon Emissions annually based on a nationally agreed framework of indicators. There has been an evolution of indicators over the years but most have stayed consistent so a general trend has been able to be formed as outlined in the table below. It should be noted that not all activities produce direct greenhouse gas emissions, however for the purposes of reporting, activities are given a ‘tons of carbon dioxide equivalent’ rating so they can be more easily compared. This is industry standard approach. Table 1- Annual Emissions with Baseline Reference Year Year Scope1 Scope2 Scope3 Total Units Comments Baseline carbon footprint 2015/16 10767.7 11701.3 16995 39464 tCO2e Year 1 carbon footprint 2016/17 9146.4 9790.3 16593.8 35531 tCO2e Year 2 carbon footprint 2017/18 9437.6 7797.8 19569.4 36805 tCO2e Municipal waste to landfill is the Council's largest contributor to its carbon footprint; despite a reduction in municipal waste to landfill this year a reporting change negatively impacted emissions. Year 3 carbon footprint 2018/19 8937.4 5862.49 19938.13 34,738 tCO2e This represents a 12% reduction in 3 years Year 4 Carbon Footprint 2019/20 8849 4687 15107 28643 tCO2e Year 5 Carbon Footprint 2020/21 8611 4178 13830 26619 tCO2e 33% reduction since reporting began. Year 6 Carbon Footprint 2021/22 8905 4236 15076 28218 tCO2e 6% increase from previous year but 28% down overall
Page 5
5.2 Carbon footprint trend across the Council as highlighted below. Graph 1 – Annual Carbon Emissions 5.3 All activity of the Council is monitored so it is important to understand the breakdown of emission sources. All departments have a responsibility and role to play in monitoring and reducing carbon emissions. 39464 35531 36805 34738 28643 26619 28218 20000 22000 24000 26000 28000 30000 32000 34000 36000 38000 40000 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 tCO2e Year Council Carbon Footprint
Page 6
Table 2 - Breakdown of emission sources Emission Source Emissions (tCO2e) Comments Refuse Municipal to Landfill 13,917 ~49% of total carbon footprint Grid Electricity 3,866 ~14% of total carbon footprint Natural Gas 3,871 ~14% of total carbon footprint – mainly used as heating source in buildings Fleet – all Diesel Vehicles 2,974 ~11% of total carbon footprint – bin lorries, cars, vans Gas Oil & LPG 2,060 ~7% of total carbon footprint – mainly for building heating Street lighting 745 ~3% of total carbon footprint Business Miles (unspecified fuel) 345 ~1% of total carbon footprint All other activities 439 ~2 % of total carbon footprint includes collections for recycling, water treatment, tyre processing, glass / WEE recycling
Page 7
Graph 2 – Breakdown of emission sources 5.4 The relative sources of emissions by activity have remained fairly consistent for several years with processing municipal waste being responsible for around half of the entire emissions. Whilst overall all emission sources have seen small variations, the proportions have remained relatively consistent. Future projects like Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) Landfill Ban, switching to greener ways to heat and power buildings and fleet replacement with low emissions vehicles will obviously have a significant impact on overall carbon footprint. 5.5 The Council have also invested in generating our own sources of renewable heat and energy as outlined this year below:- Table 3 - Generation, consumption and export of renewable energy Renewable Electricity Renewable Heat TECHNOLOGY Total consumed by the organisation (kWh) Total exported (kWh) Total consumed by the organisation (kWh) Total exported (kWh) Solar PV 882843 0 Wind 15000 135000 Biomass 4678800 0 Air Source Heat Pump 130000 0 49% 14% 14% 11% 7% 3% 2% 1% Breakdown of emission sources 2021/22 Refuse Municipal to Landfill - 49% Grid Electricity - 14% Natural Gas - 14% Fleet - all Diesel Vehicles - 11% Gas Oil & LPG - 7% Streetlighting - 3% All other activities - 2% Business Miles (unspecified fuel) - 1%
Page 8
Graph 3 – Benchmarking of Council Carbon Emissions 5.6 The graph above highlights Argyll and Bute Council’s carbon emissions in relation to other local authorities who have published their 2021/22 data online. It is very difficult to make a direct comparison as population, physical size, internal processes (particularly waste treatment) and geographic factors all have a material impact on overall emissions. 6.0 Bronze Carbon Literacy Organisation Accreditation 6.1 The Council is proud to have achieved the nationally recognised Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) Bronze award, via training delivered by Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT), a member of the Council’s Climate Change Board. The Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) accreditation is the visible ‘badge’ that showcases an organisation as being committed to Carbon Literacy, having a substantial number of people who are Carbon Literate, having a commitment to support its Carbon Literate people and maintaining its low carbon culture. 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000 Aberdeenshire Council Aberdeen City Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council City of Edinburgh Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eileen Siar Dumfries and Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council Highland Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth and Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Stirling Council W est Dunbartonshire Council W est Lothian Council tCO2e Climate Change Reporting Year 2021 -22 tCO2e Reporting Year 2021 2022 Scottish Average
Page 9
6.2 CLOs accreditation typically realise in-house benefits such as decreased energy and resource consumption, improved organisational profile, a healthier working environment, a safer supply chain, lower variable costs, enhanced competitiveness, and reduced commercial risk. CLO accreditation is also a clear demonstration of an organisation’s corporate social responsibility, and the Council can use this status to support interaction with its communities - whether they are staff or customers, neighbours, learners, suppliers or stakeholders. 6.3 In achieving the CLO Bronze award, the Council has met a number of assessment criteria including establishing a baseline on existing environmental performance, having registered a Training Initiative with the project, and having a Board Member / Organisational Leader certified as Carbon Literate. There are four levels of CLO accreditation (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum) reflecting increasing levels of Carbon Literacy commitment and achievement. This presents an opportunity for the Council to progress onto the CLO Silver award, further developing its Carbon Literacy credentials. 6.4 ACT have already provided a mix of Community and Council focussed Climate Literacy Training with more planned. Furthermore, additional Council staff training is currently under development and will be delivered by online training module LEON. 7.0 Conclusions 7.1 It is a requirement to publish annual carbon emissions for the Scottish Government. This report highlights our overall emissions for most recent reporting period 2021/22 and confirms overall our emissions are 28% down since records began. There is still much to be done on the Council’s journey to achieve net zero by 2045 however training our staff and Councillors plus achieving CLO Bronze status will ensure decision makers are well equipped to fulfil the ambitious targets.
Page 10
8. IMPLICATIONS 8.1 Policy – This paper content is entirely consistent with climate change policy and action at local, national and international level. 8.2 Financial – Paper reports on net downward trend of emissions and can be linked to greater efficiency of ongoing utility costs. Proposed expenditure of allocated climate change funding from 2023 Budget. 8.3 Legal – Meeting requirements of Climate Change Scotland Act. 8.4 HR – None 8.5 Fairer Scotland Duty 8.5.1 Equalities – Protected characteristics – None 8.5.2 Socio economic Duty – None 8.5.3 Islands – None 8.6 Climate change – Direct link confirming net downward trend in emissions and proposed future projects that will address climate change. 8.7 Risk – Not addressing impacts or causes of climate change can lead to increased cost or censure if targets are not met. 8.8 Customer Service – None. Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services Councillor Ross Moreland Policy Lead Climate Change & Environment 5th April 2023 For further information contact: Ross McLaughlin Head of Commercial Services The Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre ross.mclaughlin@argyll-bute.gov.uk