Agenda item

An update on work to develop an Oldham Green New Deal Delivery Partnership

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economy that provide provided members with an update on work that was ongoing to develop an Oldham Green New Deal Delivery Partnership with the objective of securing investment in, and delivery of, low carbon infrastructure across Oldham borough as set out in Oldham’s Local Area Energy Plan.

An Oldham Green New Deal Delivery Partnership has the potential to cut carbon emissions in the borough, working towards the 2030 carbon neutrality target, that was set out in the Oldham Green New Deal Strategy, and additionally to bring significant co-benefits such as jobs, training opportunities, lower energy bills and other environmental and economic outcomes in the medium term, which are declared objectives of the Oldham Green New Deal Strategy.

The Committee was informed that the Oldham Green New Deal (OGND) Strategy had been adopted by the Council in March 2020. The Strategy set a number of objectives and pledges for delivery on environmental issues in a range of work areas, which broadly fit into three over-arching ‘pillars’:- Growing the green economy; Low carbon infrastructure and a Local Energy Market: and thirdly Northern Roots.

The OGND Strategy also established two carbon neutrality targets, namely: For Council Buildings and Street Lighting by 2025; and for the whole of the borough by 2030.

The most recent data available showed that in 2020, overall emissions for the borough fell by 9% on the previous year to 708 ktCO2. The publication of the figures for 2020 also showed that Oldham achieved the target of a 48% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 on a 1990 baseline set out in the Oldham Climate Change Strategy 2013-2020 – in fact, a reduction of 51% on the 1990 baseline was achieved. Oldham retains its position within Greater Manchester as the borough with both the lowest total carbon footprint and also lowest per capita emissions at 3.0 tCO2 per Oldham resident. Emissions for Council Buildings and Street Lighting fell to 7,445 tCO2 in 2021/22, which is a reduction of 8% on the figure for 2020/21 and of 11% on the baseline of 8,395 tCO2 in the Oldham Green New Deal Strategy.

Of the 7,445 tCO2 Council carbon footprint for 21/22, 4,039 tCO2 were from electricity. This means that if the Council were to switch to a zero-carbon electricity tariff (such as nuclear or renewable energy), our remaining carbon footprint would be 3,406 tCO2, mainly from gas with 17 tCO2 from water use. This residual carbon footprint will need to be offset by 2025 to meet the carbon neutrality target for Council Buildings and Street Lighting set out in the Oldham Green New Deal Strategy. The Council is currently exploring the most appropriate options for its overall energy purchasing, purchasing of a zero-carbon electricity tariff, and offsetting of its residual carbon footprint. A copy of the full Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for 2021/22 was enclosed at Appendix A of the Committee’s report.

Resolved:

1.    That the Committee notes and endorses the progress on the five key complementary strategic initiatives: -

a.    Growing the green economy and Oldham Green Business Network

b.    Oldham Energy Futures and Community Led Energy Plans

c.    Oldham Green New Deal Delivery Partnership – stage 2 market engagement

d.    GM Strategic Outline Business Case development & BEIS Heat Network Zoning pilots

e.    Innovate UK Net Zero Living Pioneer Places

2.    The Committee requests that a further report, detailing progress on the development of the Oldham Green New Deal Delivery Plan be presented to the Committee in approximately 12 months.