Workstream #3 - Reducing consumption based emissions
3.1: The number of tenders that include the 10% environmental weighting is increasing; examples include two contracts for the Etihad: the contract management system, ‘Future Shape of Core’ consultancy, and ‘This City’ procurements. The Integrated Commissioning and Procurement Team have continued to engage with services and Contract Leads across the council to raise awareness and provide support with implementing the new 10% environmental weighting. As a key partner in the Manchester Local Care Organisation, we are contributing to the development of their commissioning plan, which builds social value including zero carbon as an integral part. This will impact on all future Adult Social Care and Commissioning contracts within the Council.
3.2: A key recommendation from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change research relates to emissions from areas of imported consumption, i.e. estimating emissions associated with particular goods and services categories and taking steps to reduce them. We plan to refine the original action to focus on specific hotspot areas over the coming year. The Integrated Commissioning and Procurement Team are in discussion with government and also with Core Cities to look at the can best approaches.
3.4: Accompanying guidance for the Supplier Toolkit has been developed and has been shared with the Business Growth Company for feedback. Work is also underway with the Business Growth Company to explore how we can promote their free support offer to Manchester SMEs.
3.5: Large scale events recommenced this quarter following COVID-19 restriction easing. The key focus areas for events are still to reduce Single Use Plastics (SUP), particularly for food and drink trader cups and sustainable power supply. In Q1, a report was commissioned to research the use of SUP across previous Council events. This internal work is now complete and outlines the Council’s achievements from previous events, future recommendations, and guidance on how organisers can reduce SUP. The report is undergoing peer review. A bid to the EU City Facility fund was submitted to fund a feasibility study into the upgrade of mains power at event sites but was not successful. Re-submission is being considered.
3.6: Engagement is being maintained between the Our Manchester (OM) Food Partnership and the Manchester Food Board, with the Council’s Food Response Lead attending the Manchester Food Board and the Manchester Food Board Chair attends the OM Food Partnership meetings. A bid to the Our Manchester Investment Fund has been submitted to fund additional resource to strengthen links between the Manchester Food Board and OM Food Partnership. The Council’s Food Response Lead is also working with Greater Manchester Food Operations Group to ensure best practice and regional resources are being shared.