Climate Change Impact Assessment

The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand the likely impacts of our decisions on the environment of North Yorkshire and on our aspiration to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as close to that date as possible. The intention is to mitigate negative effects and identify projects which will have positive effects.

This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. The final document will be published as part of the decision making process and should be written in Plain English.

If you have any additional queries which are not covered by the guidance please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk

Title of proposal	North Yorkshire Council Climate Change Strategy for Adoption
Brief description of proposal	A high level Strategy outlining the Council response to the climate emergency
Directorate	Environment
Service area	Environmental Services and Climate Change
Lead officer	Michael Leah
Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment	Jos Holmes, Climate Change Policy Officer
Date impact assessment started	20.06.23

Options appraisal

Were any other options considered in trying to achieve the aim of this project? If so, please give brief details and explain why alternative options were not progressed.

The Strategy has been through various iterations at pre- draft, draft and final version stages. Themes, ambitions and activities have been refined throughout this process.

What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?

Please explain briefly why this will be the result, detailing estimated savings or costs where this is possible.

At this stage, there will be no impact on Council budgets. Implementing the Strategy will be through an Action Plan and projects will be brought through the financial and budgetary regulation processes.

How will this proposal impact on the environment? N.B. There may be short term negative impact and longer term positive impact. Please include all potential impacts over the lifetime of a project and provide an explanation.		Positive impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant)	No impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant)	Negative impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant)	Explain why will it have this effect and over what timescale? Where possible/relevant please include: · Changes over and above business as usual · Evidence or measurement of effect · Figures for CO₂e · Links to relevant documents	Explain how you plan to mitigate any negative impacts.	Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible.
Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.	Emissions from travel	X			The Strategy outlines how transport emissions can be reduced		Both operational and resident / business and visitor transport emissions are considered.
	Emissions from construction	X			The Strategy includes reference to new builds, including biobased construction
	Emissions from running of buildings	X			The Strategy includes reference to reducing the emissions from existing buildings through retrofitting and low carbon heating.		Both operational and resident / business and visitor transport emissions are considered.
	Emissions from data storage		X		The Strategy includes reference to improved access to web based information and services to reduce the need to travel. This will result in increased cloud storage. However, the impact of this will be less than the travel emissions it is avoiding.		NYC Operational carbon footprint will include data storage and communications will be developed to reduce this.
	Other	X			A wide range of mitigation measures are proposed.
Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic		X			The Strategy features a waste decarbonisation and circular economy section
Reduce water consumption			X		Not specifically mentioned.
Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)		X			The Strategy refers to the decrease in pollution as a co-benefit.
Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers		X			The Strategy refers to this in the Adaptation section.		This section will support both internal operational and wider resident and business resilience.
Enhance conservation and wildlife		X			The Strategy refers to this in the Supporting Nature section.		This section will support both internal operational and wider resident and business resilience.
Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape			X		This is not specifically referenced in the Strategy.
Other (please state below)

Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards.

Summary Summarise the findings of your impact assessment, including impacts, the recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.

The Strategy is a high level document which sets out the ‘direction of travel’ for the Council’s response to the climate emergency. Although a range of activities are proposed, the implementation of the Strategy will be through the Action Plans and the constituent programmes and projects, which will follow the Council decision making protocols.

Sign off section

This climate change impact assessment was completed by:

Name	Jos Holmes
Job title	Climate Change Policy Officer
Service area	Strategy and Performance
Directorate	Local Engagement
Signature	J Holmes
Completion date	20.06.23

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Michael Leah

Date:20.06.23