Action plan
This action plan describes the actions the Council will take to reduce carbon emissions. It also includes actions relating to the council’s governance, procurement and investment to improve the consideration given to the carbon impact of the decisions taken by the council.
Retrofit public buildings to improve energy efficiency
Ref: 1.1
Council team responsible: Environment
More information:
- We will increase participation on the RE:FIT programme to identify public buildings, such as libraries, suitable for retrofitting
- It should be noted that not all council buildings are suitable for retrofitting, as they are listed buildings, such as Brixton library
- Sites will be assessed for suitability and scheduled for retrofitting
Delivery and impact:
- Based on our initial benchmarking exercise, it is estimated energy use could fall by up to 19% on average in Lambeth buildings by participating in RE:FIT
- Our initial benchmarking shows 52 sites in Lambeth are feasible for RE:FIT. We are already working with 10 sites (which are schools); by 2021 we will carry out feasibility studies to see whether the remaining 42 sites are viable
- If these sites are viable, we will add solar panels and improve insulation to reduce energy use by up to 19% by 2025 and assess the possibility of installing battery
Invest in the council’s housing stock to achieve highest possible sustainability ratings
Council team responsible: Housing
Ref: 1.2
More information:
- We will undertake audits of all communal area to identify opportunities to reduce energy usage
- Introduction of air source or ground source heating systems or joining district heat networks where possible
- Every council home to have loft insulated by 2030
- Every council home, where applicable, to have a boiler under 10 years of age by 2030
- Every council home, to have an EPC rating no lower than b by 2030.
- To improve the sustainability of communal areas by introducing green sedum roofs for garages, pram sheds etc.; reusing bricks/ paving slabs, using sustainable wood for new/refurbished play areas, improving recycle/ reuse points on estates, where possible introducing water recycling – grey water retention for flushing toilets
Delivery and impact:
- Establish baseline data for carbon emissions relating to Lambeth council managed housing by 2021.
- Develop carbon reduction programme for council managed housing.
By 2030 all new council homes will be built to the highest efficiency standards with an aspiration to move the highest possible standard in the code for sustainable homes
Ref: 1.3
Council team responsible: Housing development
More information:
- All major new developments by HfL to achieve a 35% reduction in carbon efficiency over and above the requirements in the Part L Building Regulations 2013. These standards will be set out in the emerging draft Local Plan
- Where this is provided via a payment in lieu (currently £60 per tonne), this will be paid into the borough’s carbon offset fund. We will look to raise this charge in line with other boroughs
- Major developments by HfL will be required to meet a minimum score of
- 0.4 (for residential) under the London/Local Plan Urban Greening Factor – Local Plan
- New council homes delivered through Homes for Lambeth will be developed to a minimum level 4 code for Sustainable Homes
- We will move towards level 5 code for Sustainable Homes where this does not compromise delivery of truly affordable homes for rent. This will be assessed on a case by case basis
- New developments will be required to adhere to strict maximum parking standards – PTAL 3 and above will be required to be car free. Higher cycle parking standards will also be required.
Delivery and impact:
- The actions proposed to improve the efficiency standards of major new developments will reflect the standards set out in our emerging draft Local Plan
- Our progress in ensuring new major developments by HfL meet these standards will be reviewed in 2025 and 2030.
Improve the energy efficiency of the council’s property portfolio
Ref: 1.4
Council team responsible: Property
More information:
- We will ensure that all property owned by Lambeth Council and leased through the commercial or VCS portfolio (approximately 400 properties) reach EPC E by 2023 in line with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard.
- Where property is undergoing investment or refurbishment we will aim to achieve EPC C.
Delivery and impact:
- Establish baseline data on carbon emissions associated with the property portfolio
Reducing energy consumption in our corporate buildings
Ref: 1.4.1 and 1.4.2
Council team responsible: Environment
More information:
- We will look to reduce energy use through screens in our corporate buildings
- Explore feasibility of a Building Management System to optimise energy use in the Town Hall and Civic Centre
Delivery and impact:
- The communications campaign will start in September 2019
- We want all computer screens to be switched off when not in use by December 2019
- Incorporated as part of the Civic Centre improvements
Transport
Only ultra-low emission vehicles to be leased by 2022
Ref: 2.1
Council team responsible: Management Board
More information:
- We will significantly reduce the use of vehicles for council business. Where possible we will replace with sustainable transport. This will be reflected in a revised essential car use policy and a review of current vehicle leases.
- Any essential vehicles will be ultra-low emission, such as electric, by 2022
Delivery and impact:
- This will be reviewed in 2019 and by 2020 there will be fewer cars used to deliver council services by staff.
Sustainable travel for work journeys
Ref: 2.2.1
Council team responsible: Environment and Facilities Management
More information:
- We will significantly increase the use of bikes, public transport and walking for work journeys. There will be a re- launch of the pool bike scheme to encourage staff use
- The monthly average for officers booking bikes is 31, by July 2020 we will increase this figure by at least 10 %
- The amount of council officers using pool bikes will be monitored through the Council’s online booking system. If there is sufficient demand, the Council will purchase additional pool bikes
Delivery and impact:
- We will increase usage by 10% every year
- We will identify the carbon costs of staff travel – i.e. expenditure on petrol
Corporate Energy
By 2030 100% of the energy consumed by buildings owned and operated by Lambeth will be generated from renewable energy sources
Ref: 3.1
Council team responsible: Procurement
More information:
- We will include in the criteria for our next procurement competitions for energy supply that the energy must be green wherever possible
Delivery and impact:
- We will procure clean electricity by 2021, and procure 100% clean energy by 2030 at the very latest.
Street lighting
Ref: 3.2
Council team responsible: Streets
More information:
- LED lights have already been installed across all street lighting in the borough. We will look for opportunities to replace non-LED lighting across other parts of the public realm
Delivery and impact:
- Delivery by 2021
Governance and procurement
Contact all existing partners and suppliers to ask they share our commitment to be carbon neutral
Ref: 4.1
Council team responsible: Procurement
More information:
- We will write to all our existing partners and suppliers to make them aware of our commitment to being carbon neutral by 2030
Delivery and impact:
- We will make changes as contracts expire
All new procurement to consider carbon emissions
Ref: 4.2
Council team responsible: Procurement
More information:
- Our recently updated Responsible Procurement guide includes measures to reduce CO2 emissions.
- Lambeth’s approach to procurement gives 70% weighting to cost in any tender and the remaining 30% is allocated to social value, including reducing emissions. We will look for opportunities to strengthen this focus inpolicy and practice.
Delivery and impact:
- Impact of new Responsible Procurement guide on carbon emissions to be reviewed in 2020 and strengthened if necessary
Council reports
Ref: 4.3
Council team responsible: Democratic Services
More information:
- All Lambeth council reports include a section for the author to consider the environmental impacts from any recommended decision.
- Guidance will be provided on the intranet within the next 3 months for Lambeth officers including the National Energy Foundation’s carbon calculator
- Moving forwards it will also be examined whether our Equalities Impact Assessment can also consider Environmental Impacts
Delivery and impact:
- Guidance on providing information on carbon impact of decision to be developed by 2020