Annual update 2024

Contents

1. Overview
2. Future delivery plans
3. Financial and resources implications
4. Legal implications
5. Risk implications
6. Equality, diversity, and community implications
7. Environmental and sustainability implications
8. Council ambitions, policies, strategies, and plans
9. Consultation and engagement
10. Theme 1 - Reducing emissions in Council buildings
11. Theme 2 - Streetlighting
12. Theme 3 - Transportation and travel
13. Theme 4 - Environment and biodiversity
14. Theme 5 - Schools
15. Theme 6 - South Tyneside Council Housing Services operations
16. Theme 7 - Procurement
17.  Theme 8 - Policy
18. Theme 9 - Adaptation
19. Theme 10 - Cultural change and awareness
20. Theme 11 - Championing a carbon neutral future

Overview

The first interim target was achieved in April 2023 with a reduction from the baseline of 5,170 tonnes, a 30% reduction.

However, South Tyneside Council's operational emissions increased from 11,970 tonnes in 2022 / 23 to 12,211 tonnes in 2023 / 24. An increase of 241 tonnes.

Total carbon emissions reduction against the baseline now stands at 4,929 tonnes, a 29% reduction.

Gas emissions from buildings connected to the Viking Energy Network in Jarrow (VENJ) and Hebburn Energy Scheme have been eliminated with heat now provided using electricity. Although they are not yet fully decarbonised, further savings from these heat networks will continue be realised with the VENJ solar array now fully online, and as the National Grid decarbonises.

The accounting period for the 2024 / 25 year has now begun. So far, we have achieved a reduction of 4,929 tonnes, so further savings of 3,641 tonnes is required to achieve the 50% reduction by 2025. Current progress data indicates that we are unlikely to achieve this target.

While the Council has succeeded to date in reducing its carbon emissions, significant barriers are faced which are now impeding progress. These barriers include the complex and competitive funding landscape and the cost of low carbon technologies. Some suitable low carbon alternatives are not yet advanced enough to be deployed, such as with hydrogen or electric bin lorries. In addition, the effects of global events such as COVID-19 pandemic and international conflict have significantly impacted the cost and deployment of low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. Overall, the advancement of low carbon technologies has been less rapid than projected when the Climate Emergency was declared.

However, the Council remains committed to tackling climate change and striving towards carbon neutrality. This will involve a period of time to regain traction and momentum to undertake decarbonisation pathway plans, develop partnerships and align internal practices. It will also enable the council to take stock of the national landscape and direction, and align with the regional ambitions and activity of the North East Combined Authority. Overall, the Council will pursue ways that will unlock opportunities to drive decarbonisation, increase carbon sequestration and nature recovery; and build climate resilience in the Borough through green finance and private investment models.

With this aim, the Council is proposing to convene a cross-party members task and finish group to consider the next steps in its carbon reduction journey. The Council will also deliver a Climate Summit in Spring 2025 which will bring together internal colleagues, Elected Members and external partners - including regional partners, businesses, residents, charities and voluntary groups - to share ideas and build relationships. This will help the Council consider its ambition further, learn from others, understand partnerships and opportunities and shape a refreshed Sustainable South Tyneside Strategy which is due in 2025.

Future delivery plans

A number of additional schemes are currently being developed that, if delivered, will support further reductions.

The implementation of our heat networks continues, with potential for expansion being investigated to maximise their decarbonisation potential.

A Heat Decarbonisation Strategy is being developed by the Council, which will investigate potential solutions for decarbonising heating in buildings which are still heated using natural gas. Elected Members will be consulted as part of the Scrutiny Committee process.

Solutions to decarbonise fleet emissions continue to be investigated and emerging technologies are monitored for their potential to be implemented as low carbon solutions.

Financial and resources implications

The commitment for the Council to be carbon neutral is challenging and will require a series of measures and interventions. To achieve a successful transition to a carbon neutral future, the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) must consider investment in decarbonisation pathway planning and associated projects alongside other competing priorities. These changes will need to be considered within the Council's future budget setting and business planning processes seeking to implement sustainable low carbon alternatives (e.g. fleet).

Carbon Reduction projects will consider the potential revenue savings that could be generated in their proposals.

It is important that the Council explores all funding opportunities to support this area of work, maximising delivery opportunities to support carbon neutrality.

Legal implications

The Climate Change Act 2008 has committed the United Kingdom to be carbon neutral by 2050. However, to date no specific Council delivery targets have been set by Government.

South Tyneside Council has signed the UK100 Pledge, committing to do everything within its power and influence to rapidly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and work with residents and businesses to bring our wider communities' emissions in line with Net Zero as soon as possible. However, this is not a legally binding pledge.

There will need to be recognition of the climate impact throughout the Council's decision-making processes to ensure due regard is considered against the target to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Climate Emergency UK released the Council Climate Action Scorecards in October 2023. These scorecards provide an assessment of the progress made by local authorities against a national framework. South Tyneside Council scored 26%, scoring above the average for single tier authorities in Biodiversity and Collaboration and Engagement categories.

Responding to the Scorecards release, the Local Government Association reaffirmed the fundamental role of Councils in the journey to net zero, highlighting that this transition is complex with unique and interconnected challenges. The LGA advised that league tables lead to unhelpful comparisons between local authorities that do not reflect the context that councils are working within and the different challenges they face.

Various changes are being implemented in response to this score. Improvements have been made to the Council's reporting process, with annual emissions figures and previous year's Sustainable South Tyneside Annual Update reports being made available on the climate change webpage.

Risk implications

The scientific evidence is overwhelming that if we do not act now then the impact of climate change on our planet may be irreversible. This will result in major implications for future generations within South Tyneside.

As alternative solutions and technological advancements progress across the climate change agenda, it is important that the Council is well positioned to support the implementation of actions that support on-going reductions in carbon emissions, while enhancing the natural environment by increasing biodiversity across the borough.

Although the Council's carbon neutral target is focussed on its own operations, there is a significant opportunity for the Council to help drive Borough-wide carbon emission reductions and behavioural change through its existing partnerships, influence, and advocacy roles.

With increasing public pressure to take action on climate change, there is a risk of significant damage to the Council's reputation if we do not deliver on our stated commitment to dealing with the Council's contribution to climate change.

Equality, diversity, and community implications

An equality check has been carried out on the proposals set out in this report. No equality and diversity implications were identified.

Environmental and sustainability implications

The strategy places focus on nature-based solutions and on-going enhancement of the natural environment, supporting healthy and diverse ecosystems.

The actions contained within the climate change strategy focuses on minimising the impact Council operations have on our environment. It seeks to reduce carbon emissions as far as possible and, if necessary, to consider offsetting any remaining emissions so our actions have a carbon neutral impact on the environment.

Council ambitions, policies, strategies, and plans

Climate change poses a threat to the successful delivery of all five Council Ambitions:

• Financially Secure: Climate change poses a major threat to all parts of our economy, both locally, nationally and globally. Extreme weather events can disrupt supply chains, cause increased rainfall or drought (both of which are more likely) which can lead to food and water shortages.
• Healthy and Well: Extreme weather events may pose a direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of residents. Storms increase the risk of falling trees and buildings, extreme temperatures may cause heatstroke, dehydration or, at the other extreme, diseases such as pneumonia. Climate anxiety is also an increasingly prevalent issue.
• Connected to Jobs: Climate change impacts are expected to worsen working conditions and reduce work productivity. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can cause heat stress, increased risk of accidents, and exposure to environmental hazards such as heat waves and flood events.
• Part of Strong Communities: Climate change is making some extreme weather events more frequent and more serious for our local communities. Floods, storms, and extreme heat can cause damage to buildings, disrupt transport, and affect health. Buildings and infrastructure will need to be built and adapted to cope with more frequent events. Businesses will have to plan around a changing climate.
• Targeting Support to Make Things Fairer: Whilst the climate emergency affects us all, it is the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities are experiencing the worst climate impacts. By looking at adaption measures, such as flood risk management, across South Tyneside increases resilience against surface water flooding throughout the borough.

Consultation and engagement

To assess the overall impact of activities undertaken, a robust governance structure is in place to help monitor the effectiveness of the actions identified and being delivered, to ensure they are being met effectively.

A Cross Party Members Working Group has been established and meets to receive regular and detailed updates on key themed areas within the strategy, along with significant project developments.

The Members Working Group plays a fundamental role, in relation to the climate change agenda, acting as champions, supporting and influencing behavioural change across the Borough.

Place Select Committee scrutinises progress against the Sustainable South Tyneside Strategy 2020 to 2025, providing clear focus and challenge against set delivery objectives, providing advice and recommendations. An interim report was presented to Place Select Committee in December 2023.

The information contained within this report was presented to a joint working group meeting of the Climate Change Members Working Group and Ecological Emergency Members Working Group. These members working groups are cross party.

The meeting, which was held on 12 August, was also attended by Elected Members from the Housing and Environment Scrutiny Committee, including the Chair of the Committee.

The Elected Members noted the progress and achievements to date and understood the associated challenges in meeting the Council's targets. A discussion was held on the options available to continue to reduce carbon emissions across Council's operations. It was agreed that available options would be considered further at the next Climate Change Members Working Group.

Energy Roadshows continue to be delivered to support residents in reducing their energy costs and carbon emissions and improving their wellbeing and comfort.

The Sustainable South Tyneside Strategy aligns closely with the Council's Influencing Strategy, which will prioritise sustainability as a key area of focus when it comes to engagement with Government, events, speaking opportunities and press articles.

Recommendations

Members are asked to note the information contained within this report in relation to emission reductions and delivery activities supporting the Council's ambitious target of carbon neutrality by 2030.

Reasons for Recommendations

It is essential that Members are updated and fully informed of the actions being taken to support the Council in achieving its ambitious target of carbon neutrality by 2030, highlighting the progress being made in relation to the reduction of carbon emissions against the baseline, while detailing any changes in circumstances which impact on reportable figures.

Theme 1 - Reducing emissions in Council buildings

Gas consumption decreased, mostly due to the Viking Energy Network in Jarrow (VENJ) and Hebburn Renewable Energy Scheme coming online towards the end of 2023. This resulted in a reduction in carbon emissions of 249 tonnes.

Overall electricity consumption went up when compared with 2022 / 23, leading to an increase in reported emissions from electricity increased by 498 tonnes. Since the baseline year, emissions from electricity have fallen by 53%.

Streetlighting electricity consumption, which represents a significant proportion of the Council's overall demand, decreased by 22%. Whereas the heat networks VENJ and Hebburn, which are now operational, have led to a slight increase in electricity consumption. However, the VENJ solar array will be fully operational over the summer, and this is expected to see a reduction in demand for this site.

Carbon intensity is a measure of how clean our electricity is. Electricity that is generated using fossil fuels is more carbon intensive, as the process by which it's generated creates CO2 emissions. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, hydro or solar power, produce almost no CO2 emissions, so their carbon intensity value is much lower and often zero. This reporting period has seen the carbon intensity of the National Grid increase by 7%, which has caused an increase in the electricity emissions reported in 2023 / 24.

Viking Energy Network (VENJ)

The VENJ is now operational. Providing sustainable, low carbon heat to 8 buildings in Jarrow:

• Millenium Phab Club
• Jarrow Focus
• Jarrow Town Hall
• Jarrow Business Centre
• Mid Tyne building
• Ellen
• Wilkinson
• Monastery Court

The solar array is fully online and the heat pump now operating at full capacity. VENJ has the potential to reduce operational carbon emissions by over 700 tonnes each year.

VENJ has been designed to allow for future expansion, with capacity for up to 20 buildings to be attached to the network. A technoeconomic feasibility study for phase 2 is now complete although further funding will be required for any expansion.

Hebburn Energy Scheme

The Hebburn Energy Scheme is now operational providing clean, sustainable heat to Hebburn Central Leisure Centre and Durham Court high-rise residential block.

This project is expected to save over 500 tonnes of CO2 per year and also has the potential for expansion.

Theme 2 - Streetlighting

Streetlighting improvements continue to be a key priority to reduce the Council's electricity consumption, with significant improvements already taking place through the replacement of existing sodium streetlights to light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Phase 6 of the streetlighting upgrade programme is now complete. 87% of the streetlighting in our borough are now LEDs. Phase 7 is expected to upgrade almost all remaining streetlighting to LED equivalent.

The emissions associated with streetlighting electricity consumption are not currently reported in the Council's reporting due to the use of the Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificate.

Due to a change in electricity tariff, the energy supplied is no longer fully renewable, therefore the Council no longer holds a REGO certificate. This will mean that the Council will have to account for all streetlighting emissions within carbon emissions reporting from 2024 / 2025. In 2023 / 24, the electricity used by streetlighting was equivalent to 888 tonnes and will have a major impact on 24 / 25 reporting figures.

Theme 3 - Transportation and travel

115 new vehicles were brought into the fleet to replace older, less efficient Euro 4 and Euro 5 models. Additional vehicles, which will be purchased in the coming financial year, will ensure all South Tyneside Housing Services vehicles will be Euro 6 engines at a minimum.

The Council continues to expand its fleet of electric vehicles, with the total number standing at 19.

The decarbonisation of the Council's fleet continues to present a challenge due to a combination of barriers such as the steep upfront costs of switching from fossil fuel powered vehicles to electric, long wait times to orders for new electric vehicles and a lack of established alternatives for specialist vehicles such as gritters and refuse collection lorries.

There are also barriers around EV charging infrastructure. However, infrastructure for EV charging is being installed as part of the Middlefields Masterplan to allow for future electrification of the fleet.

Fleet fuel consumption showed a small decrease when compared with 2022 / 23. This caused a reduction in emissions from fleet vehicles of 8 tonnes in 2023 / 24, as illustrated in figure 4 below. Since the baseline year, emissions from fleet have fallen by 12%.

A new operational model is now in place for EV charging points throughout the borough. Working alongside private sector partner Connected Kerb, the network of charging points will be completely renewed and expanded over the coming years.

Staff are encouraged to travel sustainably, with green travel promoted to new members of staff at inductions and on the staff intranet, along with our cycle-to-work scheme, business and corporate metro passes, and electric pool cars.

The Council continues to work closely with our business community to improve public transport connections. Bus Service Improvement Plan funding has been used in a recent exercise to increase bus services from South Tyneside into the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) for our residents.

Road safety education continues to be delivered within all the schools in the borough through schemes such as Bikeability.

Trials for School Streets began at two South Tyneside schools in September 2023, Simonside Primary and St Mary's RC Primary. This project involved restricting traffic flow to the roads outside to all but essential traffic and residents. The schemes are hoped to improve air quality and safety outside schools and to encourage active trav

Theme 4 - Environment and biodiversity

In March 2023, South Tyneside Council declared an Ecological Emergency, recognising the national and global evidence that there is a need to reverse the decline in biodiversity and nature in general, in our Borough, and across the UK.

The Council undertake a number of nature-based projects that help to address the Ecological Emergency and Support Biodiversity Net Gain. In 2023 / 24, some key Council projects have included:

• A saltmarsh restoration trial began at the river Don in Jarrow in May 2023. A new product made from biodegradable potato starch is being trialled to see if it could offer an innovative approach to the restoration of saltmarsh habitat. The scientific study is a DEFRA funded partnership project between the Council, Natural England, JBA Consulting and Groundwork North East and Cumbria.
• The Council has a continued focus on tree planting, striving towards the planting of 3,000 trees per annum. In 2023/24, the Council planted 4,024 trees (3,847 whips and 177 standard size trees) on land owned or maintained by the Council.
• Community engagement through planting days has been undertaken at two locations in West Park Shields and Oakleigh Gardens playing fields.
• Lord Blyton School was chosen as the location for a Tiny Forest, a densely packed native forest roughly the size of a tennis court. 600 trees were planted with assistance from each class at the school.
• The launch of COAST South Tyneside is raising awareness of wildlife along our coastline. COAST South Tyneside aims to highlight the challenges faced by coastline wildlife and to encourage wildlife positive behaviours. This also saw a project to support mating pairs of ringed plovers implemented over the summer of 2023, which will recommence in 2024.
• The Stronger Shores project continues to improve understanding of the coastal and flood protection value of marine habitats (seagrass meadows, kelp forests and oyster reefs) and their wider role in adapting to climate change and biodiversity management.

Theme 5 - Schools

Schools are fundamental in the response to the threats facing our planet, as they provide a place of education and community engagement. Educating and empowering our children to act now, and in the future will play a significant and fundamental role, helping to minimise the catastrophic effects of climate change.

The Council have continued to work with schools to raise awareness, in 2023 / 2024 this activity included:

• Attending the annual Reducing Accidents at Play (RAP) event at South Shields Community Fire Station in October, where theypresented to over 1,000 school children about the benefits of Active Travel.
• Presentations about climate change have been delivered to students at three schools in the borough in 2023 / 24 at Keelman's Way, Epinay Business School, and Toner Avenue Primary. Engagement work about the importance of trees was also carried out at Biddick Hall Primary School.
• In September 2023, a questionnaire was sent to schools in the borough to gain a better understanding of school engagement with the topic of climate change and identify areas where support is needed. Information received as a result, will enable support from the Council to be tailored to the schools' needs.

Theme 6 - South Tyneside Council Housing Services operations

South Tyneside Housing Services continues to upgrade homes and improve efficiency through planned works, with upgrades to glazing, insulation and boilers among the measures being implemented to improve comfort, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

A review of the housing stock is ongoing to ensure all EPCs are up to date. There are now more properties with a C rating or above than D or below.

Four South Tyneside Housing Services managed high-rise residential buildings are now heated with clean, renewable heat. Ellen Court, Wilkinson Court and Monastery Court are connected to VENJ, with Durham Court being warmed by the Hebburn Renewable Energy Scheme.

In accordance with the Heat Network and Billing Regulations 2015, new heat meters have been installed at the three Jarrow high rise blocks, known as Ellen Court, Wilkinson Court and Monastery Court. This complies with heat network regulations for buildings communally heated and provides an opportunity to reduce emissions through more efficient use of heating.

Following the success of the initial round of Energy Roadshows in 2023, additional roadshows were held in seven locations in February and March 2024. These saw over 200 residents engaged with and provided free, impartial energy advice from the South Tyneside Housing Services Asset Management Team, as well as free benefit checks provided by our Welfare Support Team.

Theme 7 - Procurement

The Council continues to embed sustainability into its procurement processes. Since 2021, Social Value (SV) clauses have been included in contracts over £100k as a matter of routine. This means that our suppliers are scored partially on the environmental value they provide to the borough. From 1 April 2021 to 21 March 2024, the use of SVs has resulted in environmental commitments equivalent to £113,431 for South Tyneside.

To ensure the full value of these commitments are realised across the borough, the Procurement team now has a dedicated role for the monitoring of SVs.

In addition to the SV process, Council suppliers are now routinely asked to send through carbon reduction plans where available. This acts as groundwork to start monitoring our carbon emissions associated with procurement, in line with the direction of other Local Authorities in the region.

Theme 8 - Policy

It is essential that policies are clear and robust, focusing on reducing carbon emissions, while enhancing the natural environment and building climate resilience into systems and services.

The Council is developing and embedding good practice, undertaking initiatives that share learning, experience and skills to support the delivery of improvements.

A Climate Impact Assessment Tool (CIAT) is being investigated by the Council to embed climate-first thinking in all decision-making. Pilot work has begun within the Place and Communities directorate. The tool has potential for Council-wide expansion in the future.

This tool will highlight the environmental impacts of decisions early on in the project design process, flagging up where projects put our climate targets at risk and allowing for more sustainable alternatives to be considered from the outset. The tool will also recognise projects that are contributing towards the goals of our Sustainable South Tyneside Strategy.

Theme 9 - Adaptation

Many of the negative consequences of climate change are already 'locked in' due to historic greenhouse gas emissions. This means that extreme weather events are going to be more likely in the future, such as the heatwave and storm that resulted in mass flooding and travel disruption during the Great North Run in September 2023.

Effective adaptation measures play a key role in adapting to a changing climate.

The Environment Agency has consulted South Tyneside Council on national mapping projects that communicate flood and coastal risk information to ensure that the risk data is robust and accurate for the borough. These national tools will provide more accurate representations of flood risk and coastal erosion, and will ensure that data is more accessible to planners, residents and businesses.

The A183 Coast Road realignment was completed in August 2023. This has protected the road from erosion risk and is expected to prolong the lifespan of the coastal route by 50 years.

This realignment also provided an opportunity to create an area of Magnesian Limestone grassland in keeping with the existing conservation designations, maximising the biodiversity of the coastline.

One primary school in the Borough was retrofitted with sustainable urban drainage (SuDS) in the Borough, allowing surface water from the school roofs to be diverted to rainwater planters. An engagement and planting day was carried out with the school to educate the pupils on the impact of SuDS and how they are used to reduce surface water run-off in the urban environment.

The Council has commenced a review of the Tyne Dock area to explore options to help mitigate the risk of flooding in future. The study will help the Council to understand the complexities of the drainage system around the area and to examine the impact of flooding on local properties, infrastructure and transport networks. The research will also explore flood mitigation options and funding opportunities for any future scheme.

Theme 10 - Cultural change and awareness

The Council is working to become a Carbon Literate organisation with training to be provided to Elected Members and Council Leadership from 2023 / 24. This is considered essential to ensure our decision makers have a solid understanding of the climate emergency and what must be done to mitigate it.

Climate Change presentations are given to all new staff at Corporate Inductions.

Since September 2023, Sustainability themed meetings are now being delivered via Teams on a quarterly basis and provide an opportunity for officers Council-wide to discuss various environmental and sustainability topics in an informal setting.

The Council continues to implement its Modern Workplace Programme. This is allowing officers and Elected Members to work remotely. In addition to improving productivity, remote working also reduces carbon emissions
associated with staff travel.

Theme 11 - Championing a carbon neutral future

The Council supported Boldon and Cleadon Community Library in hosting an event to promote and celebrate Earth Day in April 2023. This was attended by over 100 people.

The Business Climate Change toolkit in collaboration with the South Tyneside Business Pledge. Hosted on the Invest South Tyneside website, this toolkit provides small businesses with guidance and advice about how to monitor and understand their energy consumption and carbon emissions, the importance of energy efficiency, and options for on-site renewable generation.

As well as delivering on key objectives within the Sustainable South Tyneside Strategy, the toolkit also supports specific Pledge commitments focussing on helping our natural environment. Several case studies have been uploaded to the Invest South Tyneside website about local businesses and the steps they have taken so far on their journey to Net Zero.

A domestic retrofit advice service has now launched, Home Energy Advice North East providing advice and guidance to residents across the North East on options for retrofitting their properties to become more efficient. A dedicated energy advice officer is now in post to provide this advice to residents of South Tyneside. This project aims to provide in-person advice to residents across the region in hard-to-reach communities, and hard-to-treat properties. An innovative QR code system will be implemented to allow information on potential efficiency upgrades to be passed on to new
occupants.