Agenda item

To present the report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive incorporating the Towards Net Zero Strategic Plan Annual Report for 2023/24 was presented for the committee’s consideration. The annual report documented the Council’s progress in managing the risk of climate change and in delivering the annual objectives of the plan during 2023/24. Included as appendix 1 to the report was an analysis of the 2023/24 emissions data submitted to Welsh Government under its annual net zero reporting programme along with a breakdown of both external and council budgets within the Towards Net Zero action plan at appendix 2.

The report was presented by the Climate Change Manager who provided an overview of the highpoints of the year and main actions from the Towards Net Zero action plan for 2023/24 including a reduction of 19.7% in the Council’s total carbon emissions compared  to the maximum emissions in 2021/22, ongoing decarbonisation of Council properties supported by £14m of Welsh Government grant funding over 3 years, the addition of 28 new carbon neutral homes to the Council’s housing stock, extension of the EV charging network and active travel routes, the establishment of a new tree nursery near Llangoed and the delivery of climate change training to elected members and senior managers. The main messages to be taken from the report are that the number of Council schemes within the Towards Net Zero Strategic Plan have increased but there remain significant challenges to achieving the net zero target by 2030, the amount of external funding secured has exceeded expectations and the Council’s carbon emissions continue to reduce but further work is needed.

The following were points of discussion by the committee –

• Acknowledging the progress made internally by the Council, questions were asked about the Council’s ability to decarbonise its supply chains and the extent of its influence in this respect. It was suggested that it might be helpful for the report to distinguish between the Council’s internal carbon emissions outcomes and sustainability performance and those of the supply chain without duplicating data.
• Whether the Council is able to specify maximum emission levels for supplier vehicles in order to encourage the transition away from petrol/diesel usage without discouraging potential bidders for contracts.
• The extent to which the Council’s dependency on external grant funding is a risk to its achieving its net zero goals.

The committee was further advised that as the Council’s carbon emissions are broken down into four main categories – Buildings, Transport, Waste and the Supply Chain within Welsh Government’s reporting arrangements, it is possible to establish which emission sources are within the Council’s direct control and which come within Scope 3 which are classified as indirect emissions and where the Council’s influence may be weaker. The Council does seek to ensure that all supply chain data that is monitored is correctly recorded e.g. expenditure on transport is recorded under transport rather than under the supply chain so as to avoid duplication. While the Council intends in the long-term to hold discussions with suppliers with a view to identifying and reducing their carbon emissions over time, effecting supplier transition away from large petrol/diesel powered vehicles such as refuse collection lorries will take longer and will involve factors such as impacts on levels of service to communities and other considerations. The continued availability of external funding is recognised as a risk and any reduction in or withdrawal of grant funding is likely to affect the pace of progress towards net zero.

It was resolved to confirm that the Governance and Audit Committee takes assurance that reasonable measures are in place to manage climate change risks to an acceptable level.