Renewables

The latest network queries circulated for this service are listed below.

If you would like more information about any of these queries or want to submit a response, please email Phil Brennan. 

RENEW120 - Carbon accounting/assessment for capital projects - 240321

This authority is interested in hearing from others regarding actions related to carbon accounting/assessment for capital projects. They are particularly interested in hearing from other local authorities that might be developing work in this area, particularly whether some have experience with PAS 2080 for carbon management.

RENEW119 - Environment, Energy & Climate Change ISO Accreditations - 050321

This authority is interested in gaining an insight into whether other local authorities have the ISO 50001 ,140001, 14064 and 21930 accreditations. They would be interested in hearing from councils who do have any of these accreditations and any information/opinions on the usefulness, staff time/resource and benefits/drawbacks of having them. However, they are also keen to hear from councils who have considered the accreditations but decided against it, and the reasons for this. 

(https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100067.pdf)

RENEW118 - Collecting area-wide emissions data - 230221

This authority is looking for some insights from others regarding area-wide emissions data. Specifically, they are concerned that using BEIS data will pose problems due to it being 2 years old, and would like to know if/how other local authorities are obtaining any more up-to-date data. Any responses related to this topic would be greatly appreciated.

RENEW117 - Data for electric vehicle charge points - 150221

This authority is interested in hearing from other local authorities who have some data regarding electric vehicle charge points. They are particularly interested in answers to the following questions:

• License fees charged by LAs as annual rental per unit?
• Who is responsible for maintenance? 
• Who is responsible for third party liability claims?
• Who is responsible for electrical testing etc.?

RENEW116 - Low carbon leisure facilities - 110221

We are interested in hearing from local authorities who have undertaken projects to make their leisure facilities low/zero carbon. We are particularly interested in hearing about passivhaus buildings, or similar, for leisure facilities with swimming pools, but would welcome any information about initiatives to reduce carbon in local authority leisure facilities.

RENEW115 - Embedding carbon reduction targets into investments and pensions - 040221

This Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has set themselves the targets of being a carbon neutral council by 2030 and to support a district wide target of 2037. As a district council, they have little influence over their pension, as it is the county council that controls where it is invested. However, they are interested in what other councils have done to help embed carbon reduction targets into their investment strategies and how to make sure that the investments remain in keeping with the 3 primary focuses stability, liquidity and yield. This authority would be particularly interested in answers to the following:

1. Do you impact assess, monitor and report (internally or publically) the carbon emissions from investments? - If yes how do you do this? Does it help to encourage low carbon investment?
2. What is your policy for your pension fund? Are there options for maintaining a stable investment but in a low carbon option? - If you are a district council how do you influence the pension pot?
3. What is your policy for short term investments? This council works in cash investments rather than shares, so would like to know if there are low carbon options for this?

RENEW114 - Measuring and accounting for non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases - 120121

This authority is in the process of putting together a climate change strategy and action plan. The 2009 Climate Change (Scotland) Act lists the GHGs as carbon dioxide; methane; nitrous oxide; hydrofluorocarbons; perfluorocarbons; and sulphur hexafluoride – with all of these needing to be Net Zero by 2045. 

This authority is interested in finding out whether there is any currently published (or to be published) guidance on measuring and accounting for the non-CO2 gases? Or whether any other local authorities who are a bit further down the road have any experience in this area? Any responses related to this topic would be greatly appreciated.

RENEW113 - Addressing emissions resulting from procurement - 120121

This Council would like to find out what other Local Authorities are doing to address their emissions resulting from procurement. How have Local Authorities strengthened the hands of their Procurement Officers and what relevant questions have been asked to external companies to ensure the procurement of goods and services are low carbon? Any responses related to this topic would be greatly appreciated. 

RENEW112 - Sustainable construction and energy efficiency standards in new developments - 040121

This authority is in the process of updating their Local Development Plan and want to include sustainable construction and energy efficiency standards for any new development that goes above and beyond Building Regulations. They would love to hear from other local authorities who have such standards in place and, if so, what standards / targets they use. In particular, they are keen to hear details regarding how they put together a robust evidence base in support of these standards / targets.

RENEW111 - Changing overall energy supplier and building into climate plans - 040121

This authority is currently looking to change their Council’s overall energy supplier for electric and gas and wondered if any other authorities have done this recently and if so, have built this into the carbon neutral/climate change action plans and how is this worded?