Newcastle City Council
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:1,816k tonnes of CO2(e)/year (all scopes)
Scope 1 Emissions:1,075k tonnes of CO2(e)/year
Scope 2 Emissions:435k tonnes of CO2(e)/year
Scope 3 Emissions:306k tonnes of CO2(e)/year
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Energy
- Transport
- Adaptation and Sustainability
- Waste Management
- Green Growth
- Public Health
- Social Equity
- Economic Development
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced energy usage in public sector buildings through various measures.
- £8m LED street light replacement programme underway, reducing energy consumption by 50-70%.
- Installation of over 1,000 solar PV panel systems on Newcastle’s homes.
- Reduced vehicle travel by 30,000 miles a year, reducing emissions.
- Diverted an additional 10,000 tonnes of waste away from landfill, saving 5,600 tonnes of CO2(e).
Social Achievements
- Newcastle Hospitals was the first health organisation in the world to commit to tackling the Climate Emergency.
- Newcastle City Council Welfare Rights, Money Matters and a range of voluntary advice services help over 35,000 Newcastle clients a year, securing additional benefits and helping to write off debts.
- Energy Services accessed around £325k in energy bill reductions and energy measures support funding for residents.
- Your Homes Newcastle initiatives including the Housing Investment Programme which delivers energy efficiency measures.
Governance Achievements
- Established a Climate Change Convention comprising the Climate Change Committee, Net Zero Taskforce, and Citizen's Assembly.
- Embedded climate change considerations into organisational DNA of anchor institutions.
- Developed a city-wide Major Incidents Plan and Flood Plan.
- Developed a Newcastle Waste Strategy with a vision for a clean, green and sustainable city.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Medium-term Goals:
- Increase rooftop solar PV to 40% of properties.
- Install heat pumps in 57% of homes and 22% of non-domestic properties.
- Transition to Electric Vehicles for c. 41% of personal vehicles and 7% of freight vehicles.
Short-term Goals:
- Achieve significant progress towards Net Zero by COP26 (November 2021).
- Implement the Clean Air Zone (January 2021).
Environmental Challenges
- Economic challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Fuel poverty.
- High levels of air pollution.
- Decarbonising heat.
- Securing funding for Net Zero projects (£375m estimated cost).
- Addressing Scope 3 emissions.
- Managing the impacts of climate change (flooding, heatwaves, etc.).
Mitigation Strategies
- Developing a Green New Deal for a just and sustainable economic recovery.
- Promoting Green Growth and creating green jobs.
- Implementing a Clean Air Zone.
- Exploring alternative funding streams (Invest to Save models, Public-Private Partnerships).
- Prioritising projects with the greatest carbon reduction potential.
- Developing a Net Zero Heat Pathway.
- Implementing adaptation measures (flood defences, heatwave plans, etc.).
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Social Value at the heart of Commissioning and Procurement Plan, including 'Green and Sustainable' procurement.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Flooding
- Heatwaves
- Storms
- Droughts
Transition Risks
- Economic disruption
- Supply chain issues
- Funding challenges
Opportunities
- Green Growth
- Job creation
- Innovation in low-carbon technologies
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: CDP
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
Initiatives contribute to these goals through energy efficiency, sustainable transport, waste management, and climate change adaptation.