NOT FOR PUBLICATION

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	Carbon reduction plan
Brief description of proposal	On 24 July 2019 North Yorkshire County Council passed a motion which committed to producing a carbon reduction plan to meet aspirations to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as near to that date as possible. The plan sets out our progress to date and our plans for the next three years.
Directorate	Central Services
Service area	Policy, Partnerships and Communities
Lead officer	Neil Irving, Assistant Director – Policy, Partnerships and Communities
Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment	Deborah Hugill – Senior Strategy and Performance Officer
Date impact assessment started	18 February 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 council motion on 24 July 2019 committed to develop and publish a carbon reduction plan. Work on the content of the plan has considered the scope and range of this document and a number of options for inclusion. Following discussions with Members and Management Board, the decision has been made to focus initially on those areas of our carbon footprint over which we have direct control and direct ways of measuring emissions.

These are:

· heating and ventilation of our corporate buildings and use of fleet vehicles. (This does not include school buildings). (Scope 1 emissions)

· electricity use for power and lighting (including street lighting) (Scope 2 emissions)

· business travel using staff’s own vehicles (Scope 3 emissions)

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 will need to be considerable financial investment to achieve the Council’s aspiration to be carbon neutral. Some of this investment, for example in improvements to thermal insulation and heating systems, will save money in the longer term and a number of funding streams are available to support some elements of the required action e.g. tree planting, decarbonisation of heating of public sector buildings.

However, we and other local authorities will not be able to tackle every aspect of carbon reduction nor achieve net carbon neutrality without government support and action through legislation and fiscal measures.

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			Emissions from travel will be reduced by greater use of electric vehicles and reduction in business travel through greater use of digital.		Communication messaging, training and behavioural change programme.
	Emissions from construction			X	There will be short term negative impacts due to construction works needed to implement improvements to building fabric, heating systems and installation of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. This will be outweighed by the longer term positive effects of this work.	These will be mitigated through design and specification.
	Emissions from running of buildings	X			Emissions from buildings will be reduced due to decarbonisation of heating and ventilation of office buildings, smarter working practices and behavioural change of staff.		Communication messaging, training and behavioural change programme.
	Other
Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic		X			While the carbon reduction plan initially focusses mainly on the reduction of emissions from those areas of the council’s footprint which can be directly controlled and measured, it will also act as an overarching document to encourage greater environmental awareness and drive change within the organisation. Work to reduce single use plastics is referenced in the plan.		Communication messaging, training and behavioural change programme.
Reduce water consumption		X			Improvements to buildings will include measures to reduce water consumption as will behavioural change programmes and messaging.		Communication messaging, training and behavioural change programme.
Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)		X			Air pollution will be reduced by greater use of electric vehicles and reduction in business travel through greater use of digital.		Communication messaging, training and behavioural change programme.
Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers			X		The plan focusses initially on those areas of our carbon footprint over which we have direct control and direct ways of measuring emissions.
Enhance conservation and wildlife		X			Woodland planting and peat restoration will contribute to wildlife conservation and biodiversity. The plan also details trials of different verge management regimes on our rural road network to understand impacts on the ecology of the verges.		Research and implement best practice in relation to conservation activity.
Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape			X		The plan focusses initially on those areas of our carbon footprint over which we have direct control and direct ways of measuring emissions.	Any negative impacts on landscapes from tree planting will be mitigated through design and specification.
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.

Most councils are now taking measures to reduce their own carbon emissions and these are based on very similar areas of work to those detailed in North Yorkshire County Council’s carbon reduction plan. Best practice standards for elements of these will be available and followed, for example in relation to building control.

NYCC is a member of APSE energy network which shares best practice in the area of carbon reduction and officers also participate in specific networks in their area of work. NYCC is also a member of Countryside Climate Network, a subnetwork of UK100, made up of council Leaders

who pledge to secure the future for their communities by delivering on the promise of the UK’s Net Zero goal. The national Government, whilst declaring its aim for the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050 has yet to publish specific requirements or best practice standards for local government.

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 carbon reduction plan, by definition, aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the County Council and help it achieve its aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030 or as near to that date as possible. From April 2022 the plan will be integrated into our Council Plan and reviewed annually. Progress will be regularly monitored as part of our corporate performance management framework including quarterly performance reports to our Management Board and Executive.

Sign off section

This climate change impact assessment was completed by:

Name	Deborah Hugill
Job title	Senior Strategy and Performance Officer
Service area	Policy, Partnerships and Communities
Directorate	Central Services
Signature	Deborah Hugill
Completion date	28.5.21

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Neil Irving

Date: 28.5.21