Agenda item

The Director of People and Development presented the report.  The Service had participated in the Carbon Trust Carbon Management Programme during 2008/09.  A Carbon Management Team (CMT) was created to oversee the programme together with a programme board (Climate Change and Environment Programme Board).  This resulted in the production of a Carbon Management Plan which was agreed by CFA Resources Committee in March 2009.  Regular update reports were presented to the Combined Fire Authority, currently through the Annual Safety, Health and Environment Report.

It was noted that a target of 20% carbon emissions reduction by March 2013 was set by the Authority with a long-term target of 40% reduction by 2020. A revised target of 40% reduction by 2030 was proposed as the visionary long-term target for 2020 included a potential move from Service Headquarters to Service Training Centre.

Progress was measured against a ‘business as usual’ baseline i.e. the anticipated position if no action was taken.  The forecast was that carbon emissions from buildings and fuel use would increase from 4,352 to 5,074 tonnes by March 2030 without any mitigating action.  The target set was to reduce carbon emission to 2609 tonnes.  At March 2020 carbon emissions was 3347 tonnes showing a saving of 1005 tonnes.

It was noted that the target set was challenging but a decrease in carbon emissions had been achieved across gas, electricity and fuel use but not at the rate anticipated.  This included reductions in electricity use of 7.6%, gas 38% and fuel 23.8%.  In addition a reduction of 30% had been achieved for water use.  To continue this trend Environmental Champions have been introduced to change staff behaviour and support the Carbon Management Plan.

Monthly collation of electricity, gas, and fuel and water data commenced in 2011/12 on all LFRS premises.  It was now possible to compare the monthly data this year with the data last year enabling further scrutiny of the data by the Carbon Management Team.  This information enabled new projects to be delivered in premises that would have the most impact.

The monthly meter readings collected on each premises allowed for projects to be targeted to where there was the greatest need.  Usage was analysed by the CMT and this had resulted in a number of cost savings and carbon emission reductions such as: challenges being made to utility companies from inaccurate bills; station staff over-riding heating controls; heating systems being left on; investigations into water leaks; spikes in usage providing useful management information e.g. wildfires increased fuel use and flooding resulted in increased energy use for drying kit; fleet vehicle usage for various roles based on historic provision rather than current need and departmental plans being prioritised to deliver savings where needed most. The data collected was also used to produce certificates which had to be displayed in our buildings

There were a number of risks and issues that might have an impacted on achieving continued carbon emission and cost savings and meeting the reduction target.

·        Extreme weather events e.g. cold wet winter could again impact on energy use.

·        Fuel consumption could rise further due to preventative activity and wildfire and flooding activity.

·        Financial and staff support for projects may be affected through reduction in budget allocation.

·        To continue to achieve reductions investment would be required to support projects that delivered energy efficiency. 

The Carbon Management Plan, as now considered by Members had been written to seek to achieve the target of 40% reduction by March 2030.  It was accepted that projects completed would slow down due to future budget reductions and reductions in resources.  However, there were a number of projects/reviews that should continue to deliver cost savings and carbon emission savings in the future.  The anticipated move of Service Headquarters to Service Training Centre, reduction in staff posts resulting in reduction of energy use and reduction in fleet vehicles, reviews on ways of working e.g. Home Fire Safety Check delivery, more energy efficient buildings in the LFRS estate and the PFI buildings and the fleet vehicle replacement programmes would all assist in achieving future reductions.

RESOLVED: - That:

i)     the Carbon Management Plan for up to March 2030 be agreed; and

ii)    that monitoring and future reporting of carbon emissions be presented to Authority Members through the annual Safety, Health and Environment report presented to the Combined Fire Authority.