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 

 

Please note: You may not need to undertake this assessment if your proposal will be subject to any of the following: Planning Permission Environmental Impact Assessment Strategic Environmental Assessment However, you will still need to summarise your findings in the summary section of the form below. Please contact climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk for advice.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Title of proposal

Vehicle Replacement 2025 - 2026

Brief description of proposal

To procure vehicles for former NYC services

Directorate

Environment

Service area

Fleet Services

Lead officer

Paul Price

Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment

Kelly Baxter

Date impact assessment started

 08/09/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Services are encouraged to maximise the utilisation of their vehicles to reduce the number of vehicles required but a certain number of vehicles are required to discharge their functions. The default choice of vehicle will be battery electric where practicable and possible and offers good value.

 

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

 

The cost will be approximately £15M for vehicle provision for vehicle replacement 2025-2026. There may be budget strain due to the inflation that has applied to the motor industry.

 

The longer 10 Year Plan will be follow when the decarbonisation strategy has been agreed , and will likely need investment.

 

 

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

 

Potential decrease due to new more efficient vehicles

 

Choose battery electric fuel where possible

Emissions from construction

 

x

 

N/A

 

 

Emissions from running of buildings

 

x

 

N/A

 

 

Emissions from data storage

 

x

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

x

Purchase of new internal combustion vehicles ties us into fossil fuel usage.

 

Improve utilisation and encourage safe and fuel-efficient driving.

 

Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic

 

x

 

Current vehicles are not end of life and will be resold and reused

 

 

Reduce water consumption

 

x

 

 

 

 

Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)

 

x

 

 

New vehicles have tendency to reduce particulates and NOx

 

 

Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers

 

x

 

 

 

 

Enhance conservation and wildlife

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

 

Other (please state below)

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 The Government buying standards will be used as a guide to procurement 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 fuel type will be battery electric where this option exists and is practicable in terms of use and charging. The option must also offer good value. Where a battery electric vehicle option does not exist or is not practicable or does not offer good value then an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle will be chosen. If an ICE vehicle is chosen, then it will meet published buying standards.

 

Sign off section

 

This climate change impact assessment was completed by:

 

Name

Kelly Baxter

Job title

Fleet & Policy Manager

Service area

Fleet Services

Directorate

Environment

Signature

Kelly Baxter

Completion date

 

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Michael Leah

 

Date: 15/09/2025