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	National Bus Strategy
Brief description of proposal	The National Bus Strategy sets out some requirements for local transport authorities: • By the end of June 2021 all Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) (except MCAs which have started the statutory process of franchising bus services) to commit to establishing Enhanced Partnerships • By the end of October 2021 all LTAs to publish a local Bus Service Improvement Plan The proposal considers North Yorkshire County Council’s response.
Directorate	Business and Environmental Services
Service area	Travel, Environmental and Countryside Services
Lead officer	Cathy Knight
Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment	None
Date impact assessment started	April 2021

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 proposal considers North Yorkshire County Council’s response to the National Bus Strategy. A number of options are currently being considered:

· Franchising

· Enhanced Partnership

· ‘Do Nothing’

· A combination of two of the above

This Climate Change Impact Assessment will need to be reviewed and refreshed throughout the proposal work.

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.

There are no financial impacts to NYCC in relation to the options set out above, at this stage. However, should the ‘do nothing’ option be pursued there will be a financial impact to local bus service operators across North Yorkshire. The likely result of which will be a sudden retrenchment of commercial bus services across North Yorkshire negatively impacting on bus users.

This Climate Change Impact Assessment will need to be reviewed and refreshed throughout the proposal work.

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		X	Impacts vary dependent upon the option chosen. This Climate Change Impact Assessment will need to be reviewed and refreshed throughout the proposal work. However should the ‘do nothing’ option be pursued there will be a financial impact to local bus service operators across North Yorkshire. The likely result of which will be a sudden retrenchment of commercial bus services across North Yorkshire negatively impacting on bus users. This in turn could result in increased car use and therefore increase emissions from travel. Conversely some options could result in reduced car use and therefore reduced emissions.
	Emissions from construction		X		No impact at this stage. This Climate Change Impact Assessment will need to be reviewed and refreshed throughout the proposal work.
	Emissions from running of buildings		X		No impact anticipated at this stage.
	Other		X		No impact anticipated at this stage.
Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic			X		No impact anticipated at this stage.
Reduce water consumption			X		No impact anticipated at this stage.
Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)		X		X	Impacts vary dependent upon the option chosen. This Climate Change Impact Assessment will need to be reviewed and refreshed throughout the proposal work. However should the ‘do nothing’ option be pursued there will be a financial impact to local bus service operators across North Yorkshire. The likely result of which will be a sudden retrenchment of commercial bus services across North Yorkshire negatively impacting on bus users. This in turn could result in increased car use and therefore increase air and noise pollution. . Conversely some options could result in reduced car use and therefore reduced air and noise pollution.
Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers			X		No impact anticipated at this stage.
Enhance conservation and wildlife			X		No impact anticipated at this stage.
Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape			X		No impact anticipated at this stage.
Other (please state below)			X		No impact anticipated at this stage.

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

Not currently aware of any good practice environmental standards relating to this proposal.

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.

Impacts vary dependent upon the option chosen. Some options have the potential for positive impacts on the environment. However should the ‘do nothing’ option be pursued there will be a financial impact to local bus service operators across North Yorkshire. The likely result of which will be a sudden retrenchment of commercial bus services across North Yorkshire negatively impacting on bus users. This in turn could result in increased car use and therefore increase emissions from travel, and increase air and noise pollution

It is anticipated that there will be minimal, if any, impact on waste, water consumption, resilience, conservation and distinctive features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape.

This Climate Change Impact Assessment will need to be reviewed and refreshed throughout the proposal work

Sign off section

This climate change impact assessment was completed by:

Name	Cathy Knight
Job title	Commercial Sector Service Development Manager
Service area	Travel, Environmental and Countryside Services
Directorate	Business and Environmental Services
Signature	Cathy Knight
Completion date	29/04/2021

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): M Leah

Date: 08.06.2021