Climate change strategy

Our priorities include:

• Conserve our natural resources
• Reduce waste, increase recycling
• Reduce use of non-renewable materials

We must reduce our impact on the world’s natural resources, with a focus on fair and sustainable consumption and production. We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production of goods and services and manage carefully the waste we produce. We need to adapt and reduce our current consumption patterns, and reuse and repair items rather than replace them.

Whilst it may not currently be possible for all organisations to eliminate 100% of carbon emissions, this can be supplemented by carbon offsetting.

• We will provide a role in facilitating between those who want to invest in offsetting measures and those who have schemes that provide an offsetting opportunity.
• As a waste collection authority, our role in reducing, reusing and recycling of materials gives us the opportunity to support consumers and businesses to make better choices about their purchasing and disposal options. This needs to form a core part of our engagement plan. There will be changes to the way that the resources and waste are managed through the Environment Bill 2020.

Our priorities include:

• Reduce energy use and improve energy efficient infrastructure
• Increase proportion of energy from renewable sources
• Improve energy performance of existing housing

The energy we use has a significant impact on our environment. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxides and other gases into the air. This causes visible issues such as pollution as well as contributing to global warming.

Energy conservation is something that everyone can contribute to by limiting the amount of energy that they use as well ensuring that as much of that energy as possible is used from renewable sources.

What is causing carbon emissions?

• Heating buildings and hot water currently accounts for nearly 40% of carbon emissions, making it the largest source of direct emissions.
• 65% of this heat is supplied by gas, 25% from oil and about 10% from electricity.

How we will support the district to conserve energy

• A sustained engagement programme will be needed with households, landlords, and business.

• This will promote practical ways to reduce energy used and find carbon neutral or reduced carbon alternatives for energy that is consumed.

• Engagement with low carbon generation and heating businesses to promote the district as an attractive operating environment with opportunities for product development and trade.
• Measures will require funding and incentives for home and business owners.

• This will require engagement at a national level to ensure that regulations, powers and subsidy regimes are provided to support the phase out of fossil fuel energy.

• Increase awareness and encourage uptake of emerging technologies, supporting residents and businesses to access opportunities for funding.

• Training will be needed to support new technology implementation, including installation, management and maintenance and associated activities.

• The electricity network will need to be upgraded and operated more smartly to serve higher demand.

• Local micro-generation and storage systems needs to be better integrated to the grid, or permitted to operate independently to the grid to reduce cost and deployment friction and encourage uptake.

Our priorities include:

• Reduce the carbon impact and improve biodiversity of new developments
• Reduce household water consumption and maximise installation of sustainable drainage systems, water reuse and grey water harvesting technologies.
• Reduce energy use in existing housing by retrofitting energy efficiency measures

Reducing the carbon impact of our homes and ensuring that future communities are sustainable will be a major contributor to reduction of our impact on the climate. Communities need to be designed to fit in with and enhance the environment, whilst creating a good place to live and improving the health and wellbeing of residents.

Between 2013 and 2033 the District must build over 14,000 new homes and the locations for these can be found in the new Local Plan.

How we will support the district through built environment

• Locating the position of development within walking and cycling distance of new infrastructure networks will enable residents to meet their everyday needs without long journeys.
• Retrofitting our existing homes will ensure our current buildings will have better energy and water performance, cutting water and heating demand and thus carbon.
• Engagement will be required with housing developers, households and businesses across the District to develop an understanding of:
  • Modern construction
  • Planning considerations
  • The implications of the new planning reforms

• We will make use of our planning and building powers to require higher energy efficient standards and design standards
• We will engage Government on the introduction of powers and regulations to drive
  • high energy efficiency
  • water efficiency
  • climate resilience standards for existing buildings, supporting improvements in the domestic and non-domestic private rented sectors.

We share some of the concerns of residents over the build of the new incinerator in the District and its potential carbon contribution.

Whilst we have no direct control over the plans to build the incinerator, we will continue to engage on behalf of residents with the site owner, Essex County Council as the Waste Disposal Authority and the Environment Agency to ensure that the site is built and operated within its permitted limits.

Our priorities include:

• Increase cycling and walking in the district
• Grow electric vehicle charging network and infrastructure
• Improve digital connectivity to reduce work travel demand
• Encourage greener transport choices

47% of the District’s carbon emissions are transport related. The number of vehicles on the roads needs to reduce, with more people using public transport walking and cycling instead of using private cars.

Public transport needs to be accessible, reliable, safe and affordable to encourage greater use.

How we will support sustainable transport in the district

• We will work with Essex County Council to transform our infrastructure in favour of active transport.
• Support Government plans to phase out petrol and diesel powered vehicles converting to electric for most vehicles and biogas or hydrogen for some larger vehicles
• Locating sustainable transport facilities near to work and homes will increase the opportunity for people to choose alternative means of travel
• A significant electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be required across the District and being the District with the first all-electric forecourt in the country, we have a good example of what can be achieved.
• We will also need an extensive cycle and walking network that is easy to use and our cycling strategy sets out how we plan to create cycling networks in both rural and urban areas, secure funding and promote cycling.

Our priorities include:

• Develop our green economy
• Encourage businesses to reduce energy use
• Encourage businesses to build resilience
• Encourage businesses to reduce waste

The UK’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 will increase demand for low carbon environmental goods and services. Both within the District and beyond and will require businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

How we will support business and the green economy

• We will support green projects for inward investment, attract grant funding and capitalize on green growth opportunities across all industry sectors, from house-building, infrastructure, and low carbon technology.

• We will set an example through the commercial buildings we own and operate, sharing our expertise and knowledge with local businesses.
• I-Construct will support the District’s important construction and infrastructure sector to showcase new construction processes and products and provide training opportunities.
• Whilst it may not currently be possible for all organisations to eliminate 100% of carbon emissions, this can be supplemented by high quality and verifiable carbon offsetting. This is an area that we could provide a role in facilitating between those organisations who want to invest in offsetting measures and those who have schemes and projects that provide an offsetting opportunity.

Our priorities include:

• Improve biodiversity and green spaces
• Improve air quality
• Improve water quality, flood resilience and habitat
• Increase tree and shrub planting

Protecting the natural environment is a priority that will not only deliver benefits for climate change but will also impact positively on the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of residents.

Access to green open spaces has been continually identified by our residents as one of their key priorities in making the District a good place to live.

We all need to limit the damage caused to natural habitats and wildlife caused by climate change, whilst also supporting opportunities for recovery and protection of species. Climate change can spread pests, diseases, and non-native invasive species into the natural environment.

How we will protect the natural environment

• Developing our green infrastructure, increasing the network of natural and semi-natural areas across the district, will increase the range of ecosystems in both rural and urban settings.
• We will build on the already strong network of volunteers including our Green Heart Champions, Friends of groups, volunteer tree wardens and community groups, and working with these individuals and groups to support them to make a difference to the place they live.
• Existing and new partnerships can support the application of changes to strengthen our natural environment and implement the outcomes of the Environment Bill 2020.

Our priorities include:

• Increase drought mitigation for the district
• Support business and communities to improve resilience
• Maintain emergency plans for the district
• Improve flood alleviation for community areas that flood
• Prevent the impacts of climate change disproportionately harming the most vulnerable.

Whilst the majority of our Climate Change Strategy focuses on mitigating the impact of climate change, we know that the climate is already changing and residents and businesses need support to adapt to this change.

In our Emergency and Resilience Planning role, we have a direct responsibility to consider how we can support and work with all of our communities.

How we will support our communities with the impacts of climate change

• We will need to continue the work we are already undertaking to provide emergency planning advice and support to town/parish councils with their own town/parish emergency plans.
• Flooding has become an increased risk and it is important to continue working with the lead flooding agencies, to ensure that communities are protected from flooding as much as possible.
• We need to work across partners and communities to identify and reduce the risk of climate change impacting on the most vulnerable in our society, through long term health impacts and fuel poverty.