Strategic Theme 6: Our Environment
Strategic Theme 6: Our Environment
Our strategic objectives were:
- To deliver the Local Development Plan in line with the Council’s climate and sustainability commitments.
- To empower, educate and work in partnership with our citizens and local businesses to progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- To support local communities to create an environmentally resilient and sustainable borough.
- Invest to improve and develop our parks, open spaces and built heritage, ensuring they meet the needs of citizens and visitors, and promote the considerate use of all spaces.
- To lead by example and reduce the impact of the Council’s services, to improve and sustainably manage our environment, protecting it for future generations.
At the end of the year:
- 91% of our measures were achieved or on track.
- 9% were delayed but progressing.
Our performance is explained in the pages that follow.
|
Action 1 |
Utilise nature-based solutions to aid climate change adaptation and improve the health and wellbeing of our citizens across the borough. |
|---|---|
|
Measure 1 |
Deliver at least 3 nature-based solution projects by 31 March 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Across the year, 3 major projects were delivered, as follows:
A Conservation Grazing plan and two Ancient Woodland Management plans have also been developed, with implementation scheduled for 2024/25. |
|
Action 2 |
Develop a Tree and Woodland Management Strategy to enhance biodiversity, increase carbon store and support ecosystems across the borough. |
|---|---|
|
Measure 1 |
Plant at least 2,000 trees on Council land by 31 March 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Approximately 2,000 trees were planted on Council-owned land. |
|
Measure 2 |
Plant at least 3,000 trees on public land through Council support by 31 March 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
The Council supported the planting of approximately 58,000 trees on public land. |
|
Action 3 |
Support communities, farmers and local businesses to be more sustainable, reduce carbon emissions and adapt to a changing climate. |
|---|---|
|
Measure 1 |
Work in partnership with Sustainable NI to promote sustainable practices by 31 March 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Our officers have worked in partnership with Sustainable NI to promote sustainable practices across our service delivery and with our local communities, and attended regular Sustainable Development Forum meetings. Our Environmental Education Officer continues to meet Economic Development Officers to review and update on net zero delivery with our business sector, including the Agri-sector. |
|
Measure 2 |
Recruit a Net Zero Officer to deliver the Mid and East Antrim Net Zero Business (MEANZ Business) project by 30 September 2023. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Following the receipt of funding from Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network, we successfully recruited a Net Zero Innovation and Delivery Manager in July 2023. This officer is working alongside Innovate UK, under the Fast Followers Programme, to develop and deliver net zero activities to businesses across the borough. |
|
Measure 3 |
Engage with at least 40 businesses to promote net zero activities by 31 March 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Between April 2023 and March 2024, we engaged with 40 businesses to promote net zero activities. |
|
Action 4 |
Improve the resource and energy efficiency of our buildings and practices by first establishing baseline data of Council emissions, with the goal to reduce costs and our operational emissions to net zero by 2040. |
|---|---|
|
Measure 1 |
Establish baseline emissions for Council buildings with a focus on those with larger consumption rates by 31 March 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Baseline emissions have been established and recorded. This data will be used to monitor carbon emissions moving forward. |
|
Measure 2 |
Support the delivery of Council's Green Growth Strategy through the completion of 5 Renewable Technology projects by 31 March 2024. |
|
Status: Delayed but progressing |
Significant progress has been made in enhancing our sustainability efforts through the installation of solar arrays. Sullatober Household Recycling Centre, Springwell Street Multi-story Car Park in Ballymena, and Larne Leisure Centre have all been upgraded with new solar arrays. Enabling works at Carrickfergus Amphitheatre are underway, with completion targeted for summer 2024. The procurement process for solar installations at The Braid and Waveney Road Household Recycling Centre is ongoing, with completion anticipated by the end of January 2025. The application for installing additional solar arrays at ECOS experienced a minor delay due to a necessary redrawing of the project scope. The generation application has now been submitted and is currently at the technical analysis stage of the approval process. Further desktop reviews are ongoing to identify other potential sites for solar installations. Locations under consideration include Carrickfergus Town Hall, the new development at Carnfunnock Country Park, and Larne Cemetery. |
|
Action 5 |
Deliver an effective and efficient waste service that supports citizens and businesses to reduce waste. |
|---|---|
|
Measure 1 |
At least 50% of household waste collected to be sent for recycling by 31 March 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
From April 2023 to March 2024, 50.7% of household waste collected was sent for recycling. This is a reduction on last year’s result of 51.4%, and below the Northern Ireland 2023/24 council average of 51.6%, with annual rates ranging from 60.9% to 41.1%. A downward trend has been noted across local councils. |