Appendix B - 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
Version 2: amended 11 August 2021
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Title of proposal |
Wide Area Networks arrangements for NYC and Opportunities for collaboration |
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Brief description of proposal |
NYC currently procure WAN services (internet connections) from NYnet Ltd direct under an agreement which expires in January 2025 and also to schools via NYES Digital which expires at the end of March 2025.
NYC are proposing to enter into a new agreement for the provision of the services and to establish a solutions agreement where six NHS organisations and PFCC/FRA functions of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority can procure the services from NYC. |
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Directorate |
Resources |
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Service area |
Technology |
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Lead officer |
Joel Sanders |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
Joel Sanders |
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Date impact assessment started |
28/06/2024 |
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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 WAN services provide internet connectivity for NYC offices and operational services. Internet connectivity would be deemed an essential utility (similar to water or electricity) therefore there are no other viable options but to procure and use internet connectivity.
The proposal is for NYC to enter into an agreement with its wholly owned NYC Teckal company (NYnet) to continue to procure WAN services. Other options would be to procure services from other private sector organisations, however NYnet was established to thrive as part of the public sector ecosystem. All surpluses are reinvested to provide cost-effective, proven and reliable networks to the region and help deliver on our ambitions for a digitally inclusive county. The proposal to enter into the agreement with NYnet gives NYC a greater amount of control to ensure that environmental standards and best practice are adhered to in the future should there be a need to materially change/add to the WAN infrastructure.
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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.
The proposal is to renew the existing agreement for the provision of services. Cost reductions will not be achieved by the renewal of the agreement alone, the future opportunities to reduce our investment in the Wider Area Network would be aligned to the councils plans to consolidate NYC office buildings.
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How will this proposal impact on the environment?
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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.
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Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible. |
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Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.
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Emissions from travel |
x |
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Robust internet connectively reduces the amount of travel and associated air pollution due to enabling remote working for staff, remote access to services from our customers and the ability to communicate remotely. Research has shown that connecting everyone in the UK to full fibre broadband by 2025 could remove 300 million commuter trips, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 360,000 tonnes each year. |
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The increased use of the internet for staff would not be directly affected by the renewal of the WAN agreement, however strong connectivity enables wider digital strategies, transformation and access for our customers. |
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Emissions from construction |
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x |
Renewal of the existing WAN contract would not bring about emissions from construction however if new connections are required in the future to new NYC buildings there may be instances where new infrastructure has to be including ground works for cables or the erection of telegraph poles. |
NYnet will seek to use existing Openreach apparatus where available to avoid the need for any civils works. Where civils works are required this will be minimised. Contractors will be asked to consider their carbon emissions, particularly around how far away the engineers are travelling and where any spoil is disposed of. NYnet’s main civils contract contains provisions for this. |
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Emissions from running of buildings |
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x |
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The proposal to renew existing internet connections would not increase emissions from the running of buildings. |
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Emissions from data storage |
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x |
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The connections enable access to data storage but the renewal of the agreement would not materially increase the amount of data stored. |
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Other |
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Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic |
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x |
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To provision internet connectivity infrastructure, equipment is used that is packaged which generates waste that is recycled. |
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NYnet ensures it follows best practice with regards to recycling and that partners appointed also follow these standards. |
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Reduce water consumption |
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x |
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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x |
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Robust internet connectively reduces the amount of travel and associated air pollution due to enabling remote working for staff, remote access to services from our customers and the ability to communicate remotely.
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The increased use of the internet for staff would not be directly affected by the renewal of the WAN agreement, however strong connectivity enables wider digital strategies, transformation and access for our customers.
To deliver the services NYnet choose to hire locally where possible to support our local economy, be informed by the people who live where they work and reduce the cost of commuting as part of their commitments to reducing carbon.
In addition to this NYnet are supporting services across North Yorkshire Council to help deliver healthy communities through IoT initiatives which enable data such as air quality in schools/care homes, traffic data and flood risks to shape hyper informed service delivery. This delivers fantastic outcomes, for example facilitating the link between understanding classroom air quality and improving learning outcomes. |
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Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers |
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x |
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Enhance conservation and wildlife
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x |
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Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape
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X |
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Renewal of the existing WAN contract would not bring affect North Yorkshires landscape, however if new connections are required in the future to new NYC buildings there may be instances where new infrastructure has to be undertaken including ground works for cables or the erection of telegraph poles. |
NYnet will always engage with the necessary authorities. Where a building is listed or in a national park, NYnet will engage with the necessary conservation officers to ensure the equipment does not interfere with the landscape. Where this was unavoidable, such as a telegraph pole, then mitigations would be considered. NYnet, as an NYC owned company, holds itself to a high standard and therefore will ensure that the necessary conservation officers are happy with the works regardless of any legal options available to enable them to happen without.
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Other (please state below)
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Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards. |
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Specifically the Environment Act 2021 provisions (including biodiversity gain in planning) overlap with the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003 (as well as the subsequent 2009, 2013, 2016 and 2017 amendments to those regulations) on conservation areas and protected areas, which interact with the Electronic Communications Code.
NYnet works with its subcontractors to conduct due diligence during survey, design, build and maintenance phases to find the best practicable solution that balances the need for their delivery approach, proportionally with the need for environmental protection and enhancement. NYnet and its subcontractors regularly check the latest environmental provisions in the local area to help them take into account and give early consideration to designated sites and stakeholder engagement.
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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.
Positively, internet connectively reduces the amount of travel and associated air pollution due to enabling remote working for staff, remote access to services from our customers and the ability to communicate remotely.
To provision internet connectivity infrastructure, equipment is used that is packaged which generates waste that is recycled. NYnet ensures it follows best practice with regards to recycling and that partners appointed also follow these standards.
Although the renewal of the agreement won’t specifically make any changes for the existing infrastructure, where new internet connectivity infrastructure is required in the future there may be a need for NYnet and its sub-contractors to excavate highways and land or install new telegraph poles. To mitigate this NYnet works with its partners to follow statutory planning and streetworks and the specific work will consider and follow best practice with regards to the climate change impacts of those future projects. As NYC own NYnet there is greater scope for control in the management of these processes and any future works.
As an organisation NYnet adhere to sustainable practices, minimize waste, and contribute positively to the locality. NYnet go beyond this and actively allocate resources to community projects, such as education, infrastructure, and cultural initiatives.
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by:
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Madeline Hoskin
Date:01/07/2024
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