Leaders reveal 11-point plan to tackle climate change in South Tyneside

This week, South Tyneside Council published its proposed climate change strategy in a drive to make its operations more eco-friendly.

The document was drafted in response to a ‘climate emergency’ declaration last year and builds on past projects to reduce emissions.

These have included replacing old and inefficient buildings, flood prevention, boosting electric vehicle use, improving public transport, reducing congestion and increasing tree canopy coverage.

Under the new strategy, council bosses have focused their efforts on 11 key themes from staff travel, the environment and biodiversity and schools to policy and ‘cultural change and awareness’.

In coming years, council emissions and operations will be put under the microscope with regular updates to councillors and a five-year action plan for delivery.

Targets include reducing carbon emissions by 25% over the next three years and 50% over the next five years.

“The threat of climate change is real,”Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, Coun Joan Atkinson, said.

“It is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives.

“Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, weather events arebecoming more extreme and greenhouse gas emissions are now at their highest levels in history.

“The only solution is rapid, ambitious, transformative action by all – Governments, regions, cities, businesses and civil society must all work together towards a common goal of carbon neutrality.”

The council strategy was developed following consultation with the public, key stakeholders and the voluntary and community sector, with hundreds of people having their say online.

Coun Atkinson, who has responsibility for climate change, added the strategy will be able to adapt to new eco-friendly alternatives and emerging technologies.

Civic buildings, leisure facilities and street lighting, which account for more than 70% of the council’s total emissions, will be prioritised.

Council bosses have set up a cross-party working group with councillors to gather a range of views.

The council will also act to ‘champion’ carbon reduction, encouraging businesses and residents to play their part.

In future, carbon emissions for the entire borough will be monitored every two years in line with the publication of government data to keep progress in check.

If approved by cabinet next on March 4, the climate change strategy will be presented to borough council for approval and adoption on March 19.

Later this year, the council also plans to hold a ‘climate change convention’ to raise the profile of the issue.

Coun Atkinson added: “With everything we do we need to think about the implications of climate change.

“What difference can I and we make to minimise the impact on our children.

“What more can we do as part of our communities to help make South Tyneside more sustainable.”

Key projects in the strategy include:

:: The Viking Energy Network in Jarrow which will harness heat from the River Tyne to power 11 council-owned buildings.

:: Hebburn Minewater District Network – heating several council buildings in the town from former coal seams.

:: Renewable electricity generation at Middlefields Energy Centre with a new 900kWp wind turbine.

:: Increasing the number of electric / hybrid vehicles across fleet operations and removing / replacing “unnecessary car travel” for staff.

:: Planting a minimum of 3,000 trees per year with a target of achieving 12% canopy coverage.

:: Working with schools to develop emission reduction plans and developing ‘climate change committees.’

:: Buying goods and services from sustainable sources through council procurement processes.

:: Holding an annual climate change week across the council.

:: Offering more vegetarian and plant based food options in council canteens and cafes and investigating the use of more locally produced food sources.

:: Reducing single use plastics across the council.