To investigate potential investment areas for energy efficiency & renewable energy technologies

Target

Yes

Completed.

Costing analysis including, projected savings, payback verification data and recommendations for investment in technology rated on a ROI realised in carbon and energy saving has been completed. Hydro was explored for leisure centre sites but deemed to be a poor investment due to cost per kWh. Solar PV is the most likely investment in our car parks. Community centre projects have included ceiling height reduction and loft insulation.

Actual

Yes

To adopt LED lighting for all ongoing, and future projects.

Target

Yes

Completed.

Lighting related energy consumption has been reduced through the adoption of LED lighting in all ongoing, and future projects.

LED lighting is approved for installation at Carnfunnock, Oakfield community centre, the Marine Highway and the Multi–Story car park at Springwell street.

Actual

Yes

To develop processes and procedures to identify and control water loss.

Target

Yes

Completed.

Staff have an improved understanding of water consumption, and related cost in the Council’s most

water intensive sites.

A new processes is in place for monitoring, investigating, and responding to water loss.

There is a proactive approach of identifying leaks and response times are reduced from weeks or months to days.

Investigations are actioned within 24 hours, with a commitment to not only resolve any on site issues but also to review and address an issues with existing controls.

Actual

Yes

To improve fleet fuel management

Target

Yes

Completed.

A fuel management system has been installed in all 3 waste depots. We can report on fuel usage by vehicle, driver, dept. etc.

The system also provides figures of our carbon footprint for fuel usage.

Fuel usage has remained the same as previous year which is an achievement given the additional vehicles required to maintain social distancing due to covid.

Actual

Yes

To reduce paper use by 5% each year from April 2019 to April 2021.

Target

≥5%

Completed.

In 2019/20, paper usage reduced by 7% across Council, equivalent saving of 22 trees and 1.3 tC02e. In 2020/21 paper usage reduced by 64% across Council equivalent saving of 188 trees and 19.9 tC02e. (note the 2020/21 figures affected by home working during pandemic).

Actual

64%

To reduce single use plastics in use across all Council Services.

Target

Yes

Completed.

Council committed to the KNIB plastic pledge.

Water fountains are being installed at Ballygalley beach and Blackhead Path through the Sea-Changers’ Coastal Fountain Fund. Council are installing two further fountains at Portmuck beach and Carnfunnock Park.

Continued support of NI Water Refillution Campaign (93+ business signed up) Sustainable Procurement training delivered in February by Sustainable NI

Actual

Yes

To develop a Climate Adaption Plan for Council through delivery of the Adaption Planning Cycle during 2020/21 - 2021/22.

Target

Yes

Completed.

Steps 1 and 2 (of 5) of the Adaption Planning Cycle completed in 2020/21. Steps 3-5 will be completed in 2021/22.

Actual

Yes

To demonstrate Councils commitment to contribute to the delivery of the UN Sustainability Goals.

Target

Yes

Completed.

A placement student from Queen’s University Belfast, MSc Leadership in Sustainable Development completed a report to establish a picture of Council’s progress in achieving the 17 UN SDGs during 2020/21 and identified a focus for future initiatives.

The report demonstrated that Council contributes to all of the goals, in particular to life below water, good health and wellbeing, sustainable communities and responsible consumption.

One recommendation included delivering a sustainability literacy programme for Council employees and members to help raise the overall awareness and understanding of the goals across the Council.

Actual

Yes

To raise awareness of

Council’s environmental performance and carbon footprint.

Target

Yes

Completed.

Council’s Environmental Performance and Carbon Footprint Report was released in June 2020.

A press release was issued in July 2020 to raise awareness among the public of Council’s commitment

and efforts in this area

The report is available online to the public, on Council’s website and also on MEA staff intranet. Environment Champions raise awareness of how their service area is helping to reduce our carbon footprint.

Actual

Yes

To reduce herbicide use in parks and open spaces by 15% each year from April 2020 to April 2023.

Target

Yes

Completed.

Parks has reduced usage by 50% in 2020/21

(note this is partly due to the ‘covid effect’ with staff being off over the summer)

Actual

Yes

To plant 56,000 trees over 5 years from 2019/2 to 2024/25

Target

≥11,200

Completed.

Winter 2019/20: 17,348 trees planted. 2020/21: 34,106 trees planted.

Delivered in partnership with the Woodland Trust.

Actual

34,106