Monitoring and implementation
An annual monitoring report will be produced reflecting our progress in implementing the Carbon Neutral Plan’s action plan. Progress on each individual action will be monitored against targets and milestones. Where data on emissions reductions achieved through an action is unavailable, we will report activity-related data and qualitative performance information and continue to look for efficient ways to improve data quality.
Our monitoring reports will also refer to the scale of progress against emissions trajectories towards carbon neutrality (see below) and new actions emerging. We will also evaluate the scale and nature of the key gaps between our progress and what is required to be carbon neutral in 2030 – an evaluation that will also inform the evolution of the Carbon Neutral Plan.
View our annual emissions reports
Emissions trajectories
The background data and trajectories described in this section will help to guide our monitoring and reporting on progress towards our 2030 target:
In order to inform the development of this action plan, Element Energy undertook bespoke modelling of projected emissions from the borough under a Baseline scenario, and a Maximum Ambition scenario, in which highly ambitious measures were assumed to achieve the scale of rapid emissions reductions implied by a 2030 carbon neutral ambition. The Evidence Base report provides a full explanation of the assumptions modelled, which includes the following (note that these are modelling assumptions and not commitments):
- Energy efficiency – Retrofits on 41% of existing domestic buildings to take the proportion of homes which are EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) C-rated or higher in the borough to 58%.
- Heat networks – Heat networks supply 8% of total domestic heat and 11% of non-domestic. Fossil fuel power for heat networks is entirely phased out by 2030.
- Low carbon heating systems – phase out the use of gas boilers by 2030 except where used (sparingly, and only at times of peak demand) in conjunction with an electric heat pump in a hybrid system. Install heat pumps in 70,000 existing homes and 20,000 new build homes. Install hybrid heat pumps in a further 20,000 existing homes.
- Reduction in car use – car vehicle km travelled in the borough by residents and visitors must decrease by 45% compared to 2015; likely the upper limit achievable through available measures.
- Reduction in van and truck use – vehicle km travelled by vans and trucks must decrease by 10% compared to the Baseline, requiring both modal shift and action to counteract projected increases in goods traffic.
- ULEV uptake – an acceleration of uptake by 10 years compared to the current London-wide 2050 target. Just over half of cars, more than two-thirds of vans and all buses must be zero emission. Over a third of cars, a quarter of vans, two-thirds of trucks and nearly all taxis must be zero emission capable.
The scenario modelling revealed the technical changes with the greatest potential for emissions reductions, as shown in the waterfall charts.
Implementation
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This section explains how decisions about the Carbon Neutral Plan will be made and how the plan will develop and be delivered.
Council-wide ownership is required, and all Directorates within the Council will have a role.
Cabinet Members will work together to oversee and steer work to reduce carbon emissions in accordance with the Climate Emergency declaration. A Cabinet Member will chair a corporate Task Force.
Chaired by the lead Director, the Climate Change Officer Group involving senior officers from all Directorates, will continue to coordinate the delivery of the Plan across the Council, identifying and developing new opportunities to reduce carbon emissions.
The Council will monitor and report on the actions in the action plan annually.
The Council will facilitate and recognise activity across the borough, working in partnerships with organisations and residents to celebrate successes in our community, and to support and inspire new activities and greater achievement.
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We will be transparent about the changes that are required to address the Climate Emergency.
We will communicate and engage our residents, businesses and other organisations in our activities. We will celebrate success and use it to inspire and inform further activity.
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A major challenge of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 is the level of investment that is required by the Council and other organisations (£1.6bn), as well as our dependence on actions by others outside of the borough to decarbonise our electricity and our supply chains. These levels of investment are far in excess of current Council budgets.
Significant finance and resources will be required to deliver on the ambitions set out in the plan, particularly for the areas of action in the table.
Areas of Action Short term funding Long term funding to be secured Funding sources Council housing Approx 5.1M Over £350M Possible sources: Housing Capital Programme / available grants Corporate Estate Approx £700,000 Over £25M Public sector Decarbonisation Fund / other grant funding Transport Approx £660,000 Significantly over £80M Funding not yet identified Council Fleet N/A £TBC Funding not yet identified Business Economy and Skills £570,000 Funding not yet identified Identifying and unlocking innovative finance solutions will be critical to the success of the our plan. We therefore commit to:
- Maximising external funding sources by reviewing grant funding and subsidy opportunities
- Investigating and developing of innovative financing mechanisms and project finance models
- Exploring group-purchasing opportunities with other local authorities
- Where we feel there is a strong need for further support, lobbying with other local authorities.