Introduction and progress report headlines
Summary:
This report sets out the latest progress against delivery of Manchester City Council’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) 2020-25.
- All activity described in this report relates to the period April to June 2021
- Emissions data relates to the previous quarter due to lags in billing and data monitoring; Q4 2020-2021, January to March 2021.
Key achievements:
- The streetlight replacement programme is now complete (closing action 1.5) with around 56,000 LEDs installed. The full impact on emissions will follow a full operational year (2021-22).
- Large volumes of geo-spatial and energy consumption data were collated to drive benefit for Manchester and the Council from multiple GM projects (Go Neutral, Local Area Energy Plan, Building Energy Decarbonisation Plans)
- Seven of the 27 new electric refuse collection vehicles (eRCVs) are operational. The remaining vehicles will arrive in phases over the rest of the year.
- Nine electric vans will be deployed by the end of the quarter to replace diesel vehicles in the Council’s fleet. The recent re-procurement of the vehicle leasing contract will allow more to be switched to electric throughout the year.
- Three Climate Change Neighbourhood Officers are now in post to support delivery of the climate actions in ward plans.
- The “In Our Nature” programme has been launched by the Manchester Climate Change Agency and delivery partner Hubbub, to support residents and communities to create healthy, green, zero carbon neighbourhoods across the city.
New Risks and Issues:
- An extension to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) from September 2021 to March 2022 reduces risk in multiple projects; the works at the National Cycling Centre are part of a wider, complex refurbishment programme, whose timeline goes beyond the PSDS. Delivery schedules are being reviewed regularly by the Capital Programmes team to manage the risk of slippage.
- The Civic Quarter Heat Network gas connection (due to complete in June) is delayed and the associated carbon savings need to be revised. The situation is under constant review.
- It has not been possible to secure an extension for the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme Phase 1a. There have been significant challenges in delivery ie: securing contractors, owner occupiers’ willingness to consider new technologies, and access to homes due to COVID. The programme has, therefore, been closed and the £500k funding returned.
- The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) fund had an initial short delivery timescale (Dec 2021). This presented a risk and an extension to June 2022 has been requested.
- The electric refuse collection vehicles (eRCVs) are arriving about nine months later than originally planned and the associated carbon savings need to be reviewed to assess impact on annual emission reduction targets and the overall carbon budget.
- The Intra-City Transport Fund may be insufficient to deliver all the schemes identified under the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy. A process of investment prioritisation is in discussion with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to ensure Manchester's schemes are appropriately prioritised in line with the role of the regional centre, including those with potential for substantial carbon reductions through a shift to low emission modes of transport.
- There have been challenges in recruiting suitable candidates for vacancies within Manchester Climate Change Agency.
- Clarity is awaited on the format of the next Conference of the Parties (COP26); it is likely to be a hybrid event, with priority of a physical event to the nation cities (Blue Zone) and the rest held virtually (Green Zone). Most of MCC’s activity will be in the Green Zone, meaning it is likely to attract less PR, profile and senior level exposure.