Climate Change Board Update & De-Carbonisation Tracker
Argyll and Bute Council · 8 December 2022
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 8 December 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD 8th December 2022 CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD UPDATE & DE-CARBONISATION TRACKER 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Argyll and Bute Council has been addressing climate change themes for over 7 years through its well established Climate Change Board. There has been a notable reduction in the overall carbon emissions generated by the Council in the past 5 years – reducing by over a third – through its De-Carbonisation Plan. Whilst our region is well placed in terms of overall natural assets and relative low number of carbon emitting sources a great deal of work still needs to be done to achieve Net Zero obligations by 2030 and 2045 plus become resilient for effects of more severe weather events and sea level rises in coming years. 1.2 The purpose of this report is to summarise and highlight some of the main activities of the Climate Change Board over the previous quarter. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The Policy and Resources Committee are asked to note and consider the updates contained at Section 5 of the report and the full De-carbonisation Tracker update contained within Appendix A.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD 8th December 2022 CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD UPDATE & DE-CARBONISATION TRACKER 3.0 INTRODUCTION 3.1 This report highlights recent activity of Climate Change Board. 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 The Policy and Resources Committee are asked to note and consider the updates contained at Section 5 of the report and the full De-carbonisation Tracker update contained within Appendix A. 5.0 SUMMARY UPDATES OF CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD A - Election of Policy Lead for Climate Change & Environment to Climate Change Board 5.1 Following discussion at August P&R Committee it was agreed that Policy Lead for Climate Change and Environment, Cllr Ross Moreland, would be elected to the Climate Change Board (CCB). Up until this point the Board had been fully resourced by Officers and staff of our partners. 5.2 Cllr Moreland joined the October Meeting of CCB which had range of agenda topics and contributed widely on matters such as Local Heat Energy Efficiency Plans (LHEES), Waste, Carbon Footprint submissions and Carbon Literacy Training. The minute from that meeting reflects that both Cllr Moreland & Officers considered the political presence at CCB was constructive. B – Kilmory Biodiversity Project Shortlisted for 3 National Awards 5.3 A project backed by CCB and previously discussed at Policy & Resources Committee and delivered earlier in 2022 has now been shortlisted for 3 national awards. 5.4 Argyll & Bute Council, ACT and Scottish & Southern Electric Networks (SSEN) partnered to plant 30ha planting in our Kilmory Estate in Lochgilphead on land as part of woodland conservation and compensatory planting resulting from power line upgrades. The sapling planting commenced in the summer of 2022 and has recently completed. The planting will help towards meeting the twin challenges of the climate and biodiversity crisis and establishes an innovative partnership approach – some other spin off projects are already being discussed.
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5.5 The planting is native and contributes to Argyll's rainforest, also known as Atlantic woodland or Celtic rainforest (which is high value carbon sequestration), is a unique and rare habitat of ancient and native woodland, open glades, boulders, rocky cliffs and river gorges. By planting native species such as alder, willow, oak, aspen and blackthorn the planting will support local flora and fauna, creating natural habitats for native species to thrive, supporting commitments to deliver biodiversity net gain and compensatory planting on all its major projects 5.6 The awards the project has recently been shortlisted for are; (1) Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards (2) RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards (3) Utility Week Awards. Outcomes from these award shortlistings will be known prior to Christmas. Both nominations and outcomes will be publicised. C – Carbon Literacy Training / Climate Change Training 5.7 The Council has been rolling out a programme of accredited Carbon Literacy Training. The Programme is tailored to both Elected Councillors and also senior Officers within the Council. It has been developed and delivered by ACT with delegates who pass assessment being awarded a nationally recognised Carbon Literacy Certificate. 5.8 The Argyll and Bute focussed course is also available free of charge (limited places) to community groups. So far around 25 Councillors and Officers have completed the workshop elements of the course with more cohorts to run in coming months. The wider the knowledge base of Climate Change the more informed decisions can be made in relation to the topic. There is also opportunity to obtain corporate carbon literate recognition once sufficient numbers of delegates have passed the course. 5.9 Online Climate Change training for all networked staff (access to a computer) will also be available in early 2024 as our electronic training system LEON has a progressed version with assessment that is nearing completion. D – HEEPS Warmer Homes – NOW ENERGY EFFICIENT SCOTLAND: AREA BASED SCHEME (EES:ABS) 5.10 The Council was awarded a grant by the Scottish Government of £2,011,323 under their Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS) in July 2022 to facilitate a programme of retrofitting insulation measures in privately owned and privately rented homes throughout Argyll and Bute. The programme runs from 1st July to 30th June each year, and since 1st July 2022 £796,210.57 has been spent on insulation measures to date. The Energy Efficiency Team projects that the budget will be spent in full with expectations that an application will be made to request further funding early in 2023. 5.11 The programme covers the entire Argyll and Bute area with geography being no barrier to eligibility for the scheme. 5.12 In addition the Team has worked with Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) to retrofit insulation on blocks of mixed-tenure flats in Oban and hopes to work again in partnership with ACHA to replicate this programme for approximately 150 properties in Cowal, Bute and Tarbert throughout 2023.
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5.13 The Energy Efficiency Team consists of a Project Officer and a Project Administrator. E – De-carbonisation Tracker 5.14 The De-carbonisation Plan sets a 3 year framework to continue our climate journey and routemap to net zero. Our Council has made a clear commitment to be a net zero organisation by 2045 and has also declared a climate emergency befitting the importance and critical nature of the topic. Whilst the main decarbonisation plan will be fixed for 3 years the associated Action Plan (which forms an Appendix of the document) will be continuously updated and reported to both the Climate Change Board and Policy & Resources Committee. The latest update can be found at Appendix A. 6.0 CONCLUSION 6.1 This report provides various updates in relation to the Council’s activities in relation to Climate Change. 7.0 IMPLICATIONS 7.1 Policy – Meeting obligations and commitment to Climate Change. 7.2 Financial – No direct linkage in this paper. 7.3 Legal – Meeting requirements of climate change Scotland act. 7.4 HR – None 7.5 Fairer Scotland Duty 7.5.1 Equalities – Protected characteristics – None 7.5.2 Socio economic Duty – None 7.5.3 Islands – None 7.6 Climate change – Direct link updating activities of CCB and projects that will address climate change. 7.7 Risk – Not addressing impacts or causes of climate change can lead to increased cost or censure if targets are not met. 7.8 Customer Service – None. Douglas Hendry, Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services Councillor Ross Moreland – Policy Lead Climate Change & Environment 13 November 2022
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For further information contact: Ross McLaughlin Head of Commercial Services The Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre ross.mclaughlin@argyll-bute.gov.uk Appendix Appendix A – Climate Change Tracker – December 2022
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Appendix A – Climate Change Tracker – December 2022 ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS W1 –Develop and Implement Waste Strategy (L) Roads and Amenity Services, Community, commercial customers Implementation of the Waste Strategy transitioning to Landfill ban compliant Residual Waste Recovery solutions by 2025. External funding and support being sought from the Scottish Government A recently procured options appraisal is now complete. The options appraisal determines the approach required by the Council to move towards the landfill ban in 2025 incorporating the Waste PPP contract. An Officer report is available and will be discussed at the ED&I committee in December 2022. W2 – Promote the Waste Hierarchy through community Education (L) Roads and Amenity Services Evidence of community Education Not secured New Web content and Education materials for Primary and Secondary Schools were developed and delivered to online Education Environment Summit October 21 and the COP 26 Event on the 6th November 21. W3 – Reduce Council use of disposable and single use plastics across all departments and settings (L) Procurement and Commercial Services, all Council Services Adoption of new working practices and procurement No specific funding in place, research required to impact on operation costs A report on Single Use Plastic went to the Policy and Resources Committee on 9 December 2021, and the following recommendations were approved: Note and consider that
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS the various Services that currently purchase SUP products consider whether these products are essential or if there is a potential alternative that would meet the Service requirements, prior to orders being placed via PECOS or contacting the Procurement, Commercial and Contract Management Team (PCCMT) for a procurement process to be carried out. Note and consider that the Sustainable Procurement Policy will be updated to reflect the Climate Change Board desire to limit SUP where possible – proposed wording has been included in the current draft version for 2022/23, and will be updated as follows in
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS the final version: “To provide procurement support to any strategic decisions taken by the Council in relation to the usage of Single Use Plastic products and their recyclability.” Note and consider that the Commodity Sourcing Strategy templates used for Regulated Procurements be updated to include a question regarding SUP Changes in legislation were brought into force by the Scottish Government on the 1st June 2022 restricting single-use plastic cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and balloon sticks, expanded polystyrene food containers and expanded polystyrene cups and other beverage containers, as well as all products made of oxo- degradable plastic.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Some products already changed and others under review. W4 – Extend and explore pre- ordering for school food to reduce food waste (L) Commercial Services and Education Evidence of extension of pre-ordering & food waste reduction Project funded and solution procured Project Team currently implementing this, with full project end date estimated as March 2023. E1 – Deliver Renewable Sourcing Strategy 2 (L) Commercial Services Adoption of Strategy RSS2 consultancy work funding to be confirmed; expectation is that project implementation will be through combinations of prudential borrowing (subject to business case approvals) and/or external funding. RSS2 next stage development work includes specification development and preparation of invitation to tender for specialist consultancy support. Current work in progress; intended to be market tested later in financial year 2022/2023. Whilst this larger procurement exercise is conducted, a Quick Quote was developed in conjunction with Procurement colleagues to secure consultancy support to assist with immediate renewable consultancy requirements (including development of items E2 and E3). This interim contract has now expired but
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS existing commissioned work- streams will be concluded. E2 – Delivery of Non-domestic Energy Efficiency Framework (NDEEF) Projects (L) Commercial Services Evidence of delivery of projects Project development work is funded by combinations of the Scottish Government and the procured provider (costs absorbed within the tender process). Funding for project implementation will come from Council approved capital allocations: Climate Change 20/21 - £500K Climate Change 21/22 - £600K Asset Sustainability – circa £100K NDEEF Energy Performance Contract was signed on 16 July 2021 (circa £1.2m investment with 10 year payback). The original NDEEF mini project list has either been installed or deleted by variation. Outstanding works are now effectively those mini projects introduced to the overall project to replace deletions. Outstanding items are now limited to a couple of solar pv installations (including Kilmory Castle ground array which requires planning approval and Blackhill Depot roof) and a full site solution for Cardross PS (including heating as a mandated item and roof mounted, solar pv). Timelines for this balance of works are currently being agreed (all expected within financial year 2022/2023) The following renewable solutions are being/have been delivered
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS within the NDEEF package to augment existing solutions: Solar PV: Kilmory Gardens, Cardross PS, Blackhill Depot, Rothesay Pool, GWIT Centre, Lochgilphead RC, Kintyre House. Air Source Heat Pump: Manse Brae Roads Office, Lochgilphead CEC, Strachur Primary School, Lochgilphead RC, Arrochar Primary School. In addition to the above, the procurement sourcing strategy for the next batch of sites, using designation NDEEF2, is under way. E3 – Delivery of additional solar installations at Council assets (L) Commercial Services Evidence of delivery of projects Consultancy work funding to be confirmed; expectation is that project implementation will be through combinations of prudential borrowing (subject to business case approvals) and/or external funding. Solar pv Options (initial feasibility work completed for circa 9 further sites) – some opportunities absorbed within NDEEF (Ref item E2) as project replacements due to accommodation reviews. A ‘mop up’ of remaining project prospects intended to be market tested as a component within an upcoming solar pv
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS maintenance contract later in financial year 2022/2023. E4 – Delivery of Water Efficiency Audits across our Estate (L) Commercial Services Evidence of delivery of projects Feasibility work being absorbed within existing approved budgets. Individual works items are generally small scale and it is proposed to utilise existing approved budgets where possible. Significant Council wide asset verification exercise and ensuring water use minimised. This project will continue into early 2023 when a case study will be prepared to demonstrate the range of tasks being undertaken and to convey the reduction in water consumption (with carbon emissions reduction) and costs arising from this already successful project. E5– Delivery of Energy Efficiency Scotland Programme (L) Housing Services, Registered Social Landlords Evidence of delivery of projects Funding amounts are determined by localised factors and is paid as a proportion of the Scottish Governments’ Heat In Buildings Strategy Works which required Contractors to enter households were delayed by continued Covid-19 restrictions but were able to be replaced by external measures ensuring the programme continued. The Scottish Government have confirmed an award of £2,011,323for the 2022/23Area Based Scheme.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS E6 – Complete LED streetlight replacement programme (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Evidence of delivery of projects Fully funded through prudential borrowing Contractors have now commenced works in the Lorn Area to progress the last installation phase of the project and have a programme of approx. 4-6 weeks to install 1100 new LED luminaires. The Council has 14442 streetlights in total so carbon emissions have already been greatly reduced by the LED Upgrade Project. 2021/22 figures were CO2 totals 738 tonnes, this has been reducing year on year, back in 2015/16 figures were CO2 Totals 3140 tonnes. 2022/23 emissions are forecast to be reduced by approx. 10 – 15% on the 2021/22 figures. E7 – Continue support of ABRA and review Renewable Energy Strategy annually (L) Economic Development Evidence of delivery of projects Officer resource to support currently funded Work to support ABRA ongoing. Current ongoing project by SSE Networks for renewal of powerlines between Inveraray and Crossaig. Ongoing discussions with both transmission and distribution teams. Work commenced on outline
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS business case for progressing Islay Energy System work through the Rural Growth Deal. Islay announced as one of the Carbon Neutral Islands being progressed by the Scottish Government which is expected to complement this work. E8 – Continue support for offshore development of renewables (L) Economic Development Evidence of delivery of projects (expected late 2020s/early 2030s) Officer resource to support currently funded Scottish Power Renewables have secured an option on the Islay site (Machair Wind) through the Scotwind Leasing Process. Consultation commenced by SPR. The Crown Estate Scotland launched Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing in August 2022 which could allow seabed rights for small scale (less than 100MW) innovation projects. T1 – Develop a Fleet Replacement Strategy supportive of fuel efficient, electric and hybrid vehicles (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Adoption of Strategy Part for current financial year The Strategy is complete, final review will take place to ensure the 2025 legislative changes are included. The council have introduced hybrid and electric vehicles to the Fleet. The
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS council operates 14% of its Fleet with the new technology. T2 – Develop a vehicle routing system that will reduce road miles for operations (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Evidence of delivery of projects Part for current financial year The Council went to tender earlier this year for route optimisation and had a number of bidders. Officers have gone through the selection process and a preferred bidder has been chosen and their bid is within the budget available. They recently provided a demonstration of their system which was well received by our tender evaluation panel. Arrangements are being made with colleagues in Procurement and IT to finalise the necessary due diligence then we will look to award the contract. T3 – Develop an electric vehicle infrastructure strategy (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Evidence of delivery of projects Part for current financial year The development of the EV network is funded by external grant monies from Transport Scotland, and the costs of developing the strategy in terms of staff time are covered via existing budgets Work on the strategy document is now effectively complete and we have a long list of sites which will be recommended to Committee for formal adoption as well as ancillary parts of the strategy around maintenance, procurement etc. A
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Ultimately the cost recovery model comprehensive year-end report will go to EDI in December summarising the current position. The next key stage is securing enough external funding and/or agreeing a delivery model – self delivery supported by business case, concession model or leasing sites, or a mixture of the three. A high level analysis of possible delivery options will also be contained in the year-end report. T4 – Support Digital by Default theme Service Review & Recovery Plan to reduce need to travel All Council Departments Evidence of delivery of projects Part for current financial year Council is adopting ‘Our Modern Workspace’ programme and Digital First approach as services change and evolve post pandemic. T5 – Develop new active travel plans for Council buildings and our towns (L) Economic Development Evidence of delivery of projects £2.9M external funding secured development and delivery of Active Travel in current financial year. No active travel funding is provided by Council. External competitive challenge funds are time consuming to secure and projects have to be The purpose of active travel is to make it as easy as possible and help to encourage individuals, businesses and visitors to choose to walk, wheel or cycle for local journeys. Increasing activity and reducing sedentary behaviour has significant
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS shaped to fit with external funders’ aspirations and requirements. However, at present these are the only available source(s) of potential funding to deliver active travel improvements. health benefits and can increase accessibility to essential services, education, employment, retail and leisure. Walking and cycling are lower cost travel modes and, if they are a viable option, can help households reduce their reliance on private cars, particularly multiple car households. No Council funding is currently expended on genuine Active Travel work, with all costs, including internal staff costs (1.7FTE), having to be funded via successfully securing external challenge funds. As all active travel work is currently reliant on securing external funding, therefore the projects which are progressed are those which can successfully secure external challenge funding. Argyll and Bute Active Travel Strategy: It is recommended the Committee instruct Officers to develop an Argyll and Bute Active Travel Strategy
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS and present it to full Council for approval within 18 months of Committee instruction. The Active Travel Strategy would provide the overarching context for the Council to support and promote active travel across the Council area. Having an adopted and current Active Travel Strategy is increasingly becoming a pre- requirement to access Scottish Government derived active travel funding. Active Travel Projects: The majority of external funding available is provided by the Scottish Government via a number of third sector organisation who are paid to administer these funds. The focus for Scottish Government Active Travel funding is to develop and deliver infrastructure projects and associated behaviour change. As such, the focus for the very limited staff capacity in the Active Travel Team has
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS been to develop and deliver infrastructure projects across Argyll and Bute with a focus on our main towns and locations with strong community support. Active Travel Plans for Towns: There are Active Travel Plans in place for the main towns in Argyll and Bute, albeit some are now quite historic. The town Active Travel Plans focus on identifying potential active travel route networks for key towns. These provide a framework for the development of new active travel routes, which will enable and encourage residents, businesses and visitors to choose to travel more actively. No funding is currently secured to enable the Active Travel Plans for towns to be updated. Council Staff Travel Plan: At present it is not proposed to progress with development of
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS a Council Staff Travel Plan. This is due to (a) requirement to make best use of limited internal staff capacity; and, (b) the ongoing uncertainty of longer-term staff profiles and bases. Staff Travel Plans focus on measures to make it easier and preferable for staff to choose to walk, cycle, use public transport or car share to commute to work or for work journeys, or use economical pool vehicles for work journeys. A travel plan should encourage staff to choose the most economical and least environmentally damaging travel mode. Engagement will be required with services which manage staff in buildings and/or council buildings as this is essential to creating deliverable and effective travel plans for staff. This includes Estates, HR, SMT and building users. It is recommended that work on the Council Staff Travel Plan is commenced after a decision has been made on
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS future staff working patterns and office rationalisation as these will have a significant impact on the Council Staff and their travel. There is currently no funding secured to enable this work to be progressed. PA1 – Review Council Flooding & Coastal Protection Policy (L) Roads and Infrastructure Services Review of policy No specific funding in place, research required to impact on operation costs Reviews are in process. PA2 – Review Council Sustainable Procurement Policy (L) Procurement Review of policy No specific funding in place, research required to impact on operation costs This policy is reviewed on an annual basis. OFF1 – Develop opportunities for Carbon Offsetting with ACT and partners (L) Climate Change Board, ACT and partners Delivery of projects Limited funding via ACT for existing projects SSEN compensatory planting – Phase 1 complete, Phase 2 scheduled with further planting planned at Dunbeg under the agreement. This partnership project between ACT – Argyll and Bute Council and SSEN has been shortlisted for three national awards, to be announced Nov/Dec ’22. ACT have entered agreement with Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition to plant
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS 100,000 native trees in Argyll over the coming 5 years. Sites currently being agreed. There are carbon credit opportunities for site owners. ACT are working with CPPs Climate Change Working Group to secure funding for a 2-year Climate Change Officer hosted within ACT. ACT have secured support from ScotGov’s Peatland Action and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to continue peatland restoration on Islay, Jura and activity extend into Kintyre. CANN project now concluded – major outputs 2 Conservation Action Plans for protected sites produced, and 586 hectares of peat restored to favourable status, and invasive non-native plants removed from a further 687 ha of peatland. ACTNow project officer has delivered Carbon Literacy
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Training to A&BC Elected Members and Senior Council Officers. ACT has a submitted bid to the Community Led Local Development Fund to procure community engagement resources to support a regional natural capital strategy. ACT working with NatureScot, Forest and Land Scotland and private landowners in Knapdale area to improve and extend Rainforest in Knapdale area. Development bid has been submitted to Nature Restoration fund. COMM1- Develop and deliver Communications Plan to support Decarbonisation Plan (L) Climate Change Board and Communicatio ns Team Delivery of Communications Plan Part of Communications Support External communications We continue to promote actions the council is taking, and actions that others can take, to develop climate- friendly Argyll and Bute. For example: Promoting Scottish Climate Week
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS - Islay one of six Scottish islands to become fully carbon neutral by 2040 - Carbon literacy training programme - Council has reduced heating oil consumption by 70% - Port Ellen Primary project on impact of clothes waste on planet Street lighting works to reduce carbon emissions Promotion of Climate Change Officer vacancy Council cut carbon emissions for fourth year in a row Cost of living support – business growth and climate friendly communities to benefit from £4.5M investment plan
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Cascade article to promote Scottish Climate Week to staff Native woodland project - Council/ACT/SSEN nominated for 3 national awards Active travel – footpath improvement works Eco flag awards for schools Hermitage Park awarded green flag status Promotion of Home Energy Efficiency Project (HEEPS) Cascade article to promote energy saving tips COMM2 - Engage with community and partners and deliver Climate Change Directory for our region (L) Community Planning and Development Team Delivery of engagement map In place until end of financial year Web page is active and live https://www.argyll- bute.gov.uk/cpp-climate- change with climate change funding search updated every two months.
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ACTION LEAD (L) AND PARTNERS TARGET or MILESTONE FUNDING COMMENTS Community Groups and initiatives mapped and promoted on website. Input to, support for and reporting back from the Community Planning Partnership Climate Change Group. Regular update of webpage directory. Ongoing dialogue with Community Planning Partnership. 2 x Meetings have taken place with Argyll and Bute Branch of National Farmers Union (NFU) and workshop currently being scoped out to explore Climate Change opportunists across the Agricultural and Land Use Sector. Headline topics likely to include: - Sustainable Upland Farming, Planting for Carbon Sequestration, Dairy Industry and Suckling Beef. COMM3 - Monitor the delivery of actions in the Climate Change Action Plan and review in 2024 (L) Climate Change Board Review of this plan by December 2024 Monitored through Tracker to be submitted quarterly to Policy & Resources Committee. Completed – next review Dec 2024