Introduction
We are making huge inroads in our ambitious Carbon Net-Zero 2030 projects, and we have big plans for the coming years. Within our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan, we have identified 150 actions that we will take which will help towards reaching our target to be carbon net-zero by 2030.
See some of our key projects and achievements are highlighted below.
Council buildings and heating
Green Homes Grant
£3.2 million has been made available for low-income households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes provided through the Green Homes Grant scheme. The scheme offers homeowners up to £10,000 to have a range of energy efficient and low carbon measures installed at home, including:
- External wall insulation
- Solar PV
- Air source heat pumps
Find out more here: Green Homes Grant.
Our homes, offices and depots
In partnership with E.On, we have installed solar panel systems on over 1,400 council houses. We also produced 3,000 megawatt hours of renewable electricity in 2020. This is equal to 754 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Our £12 million retrofit of our Killingworth Site means it now has green features such as energy efficient heating, lighting systems and solar panels. It will soon have recycled electric vehicle car battery systems to support energy storage and re-use across the site.
We secured £3.2m funding from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Grant to install low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures. This has been installed in four of our other most carbon intensive buildings.
We have developed nine affordable homes on a former garage site using a modern method of construction called HUSK. These homes will use electricity as a form of heat and benefit from solar panels and air source heat pumps.
Heat networks
We recognise potential impacts and opportunities associated with the assessment of the borough for heat network development.
This is a way in which heat or power can be supplied to a buildings over a large geographical area through underground pipes and a single energy centre. In some cases, the heat and power can be supplied by low zero carbon heat sources, such as mine water and air source heat pumps. If constructed correctly, heat networks can provide more efficient and low carbon heat sources than existing gas boilers. There can also be a potential for cost savings to residents and businesses.
We have been looking into it in North Tyneside – read more about the Killingworth Heat Network feasibility study
Transport
Our vehicles
We’re carrying out a full review of our vehicle fleet and replace all small diesel vehicles (and some medium size vehicles) with electric. This is where options are available and where this can be supported financially. We have trialled the use of an electric refuse collection vehicle
EV charging points
We know how important accessible charging points are to residents, increasing the use of electric vehicles to support a sustainable borough is important to us. In the same way that providing petrol pumps doesn’t fall under the remit of the council, chargepoints are provided by private providers.
The council does already host chargepoints in some our car parks across the borough. We will work with the commercial market on opportunities to install chargepoints at more council-operated car parks and leisure centres. We will also ensure chargepoints are included as part of new housing developments
Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy
We have a Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy
Sustainable travel
Secured almost £9m funding to provide an extra 14 kilometres of cycle routes and improve active travel and public transport.
Planning and land use
North East Community Forest
We are part of the £30m North East Community Forest Project. This will see the equivalent of almost 6,000 rugby pitches of new woodlands, hedgerows, orchards and trees planted by 2050 across the North East.
Tree planting locations
We have identified some sites in North Tyneside that we are excited to propose tree planting for.
An example is planting native tree species along the existing tree line on the amenity grassland at Henley Gardens in Wallsend. The planting of these trees will strengthen and enhance the existing tree line that separates the grassland from the A19. This will reduce the audio and visual impact of the A19, remove emissions from the atmosphere and increase the biodiversity in the area.
LED street lighting
Over £4.3m is being spent to convert almost 20,000 street lights to energy efficient LED. This will complete our street lighting LED programme
Biodiversity
Due to the national decline of certain species such as bees and butterflies, we want to create more biodiversity across our borough. Locations have been selected to provide a home and food for butterflies, bees, birds and small animals.
Newcastle and North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan deals with priority habitats and species in the local area which are under threat locally and nationally. The plan aims to manage our natural environment effectively and protect these natural resources.This supports the national Plantlife campaign endorsed by Alan Titchmarsh.
Collaboration and engagement
Climate Emergency Board
We have a borough-wide Climate Emergency Board to address the urgent need for action against climate change. The board consists of public sector organisations and commercial and industrial businesses. This was one of the outcomes of our “Call for Evidence” event during the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference of the Parties 26 (COP26). This included collaboration with large organisations and stakeholder groups in the Borough.
Action on Climate Change brand
We developed an ‘Action on Climate Change’ brand and logo. This is used on some of our vehicles, and on printed and digital communications on climate emergency work in the borough. This is an umbrella brand which residents, organisations, schools and businesses can use show their sustainability work. It is in a behavioural change campaign to help everyone take steps towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
School engagement
We work with schools to help them achieve the internationally recognised Eco-Schools Green Flag award. The Green Flag award showcases the fantastic work that schools do as part of their Environmental Committees.
Call for evidence event
We hosted a “Call for Evidence” event. This was during the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference of the Parties 26 (COP26), including large organisations and stakeholder groups in the Borough. This helped to shape our plans around climate emergency, waste, recycling and reducing single use plastics usage.
Waste reduction and food
Reuse shop
We are in discussions with our private sector partners about opening a reuse shop at our Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). This would reduce the amount of waste processed at HWRC while offering financial benefits for residents looking to purchase second-hand items.
Food waste collection service
We are looking into introducing a sperate food waste collection service. Currently, food waste is sent to landfill where it rots and releases greenhouse gasses such as methane. When recycled, food waste can be turned into fertiliser for farming and energy, as well as bringing about cost saving benefits.