Self-Assessment Report 2024-25 p9

Objective 3 - Planet: We will reduce our environmental impact and improve sustainability

By:

Why did we do this:

The actions set out to achieve this objective aligned with the key priorities identified through public consultation.
They demonstrated how the Council is leading by example, whilst also working to engage and educate on sustainability.
They assisted the development of the borough’s electric vehicle charging network, focused on providing an effective and efficient waste management service, and demonstrated support for biodiversity.
Our citizens identified help to reduce consumption, waste and litter, and awareness and assistance in tackling climate change as the two most important things the Council could do to be more environmentally friendly.
Adopting environmentally sustainable transport ranked third and protecting plants and animals ranked fourth (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022).
Measures to address climate change, environmental awareness and the importance of respect for the local and natural environment, were points raised throughout the Community Planning Review (2022) consultation.
The phase out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is 2035.

Under this objective:

What you see:

Outcome: Energy-saving and clean energy projects within Council buildings.
Measure	6 energy-saving projects delivered by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	We delivered 8 energy saving projects this year. For more information, please see Self-Imposed Indicators and Standards section of this report.
Measure	4 clean-energy projects delivered by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	We delivered 4 clean energy projects this year. For more information, please see Self-Imposed Indicators and Standards section of this report.
Measure	Approximately 77,000kg CO2e savings by 31 March 2025 (lifecycle saving - 1.5m kg).
Status: Achieved	A reduction of 77,301kg CO2e has been achieved.
Measure	Approximately £80,000 savings through energy projects by 31 March 2025 (lifecycle savings - £1.6m).
Status: Achieved	Annual savings increased to £85,756.

Outcome: Expansion of electric vehicle chargepoints within the borough.
Measure	12 fast chargers procured through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) by 30 September 2024.
Status: Achieved	Procurement completed in December 2024.
Measure	Installation date for ORCS chargers confirmed by 31 March 2025.
Status: Delayed but progressing	With the renegotiation of the contract terms delaying confirmation of the installation date, completion is now expected around March 2026. Future updates will be provided to the Council’s Environment and Economy Committee.
Measure	6 upgraded charge stations through ESB by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	All 6 charge stations have been installed and are located at Tower Road Larne, Narrow Gauge Larne, Havelock Carnlough, Coast Road Glenarm, Larne Link Road Ballymena and Henry Street Ballymena. A supercharging hub was also installed in Larne.

Outcome: Achievement of our statutory Waste Management targets.
Measure	At least 50% of household waste collected sent for recycling by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	From April 2024 to March 2025, 50.73% was recorded. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.
Measure	A maximum of 16,387 tonnes of biodegradable collected municipal waste sent to landfill by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	From April 2024 to March 2025, 13,611 tonnes were recorded. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.
	Less than 75,797 tonnes collected municipal waste arisings by 31 March 2025.
Status: Not achieved	From April 2024 to March 2025, 75,880 tonnes were recorded. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Outcome: Delivery of our Tree and Woodland Management Strategy.
Measure	5,000 trees planted within the borough by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	Almost 370,000 trees were planted or distributed for planting across the borough last year.

Outcome: Delivery of our Tree and Woodland Management Strategy.

Measure

5,000 trees planted within the borough by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

Almost 370,000 trees were planted or distributed for planting across the borough last year.

Outcome: Achievement of environmental targets and accreditations, where viable.
Measure	Re-certification of International Management Standard ISO14001 by 31 August 2024.
Status: Achieved	Re-certification was obtained for another 3 years in August. No non-conformances or observations for improvement were identified.
Measure	A minimum of Gold Status in the NI Benchmarking Survey by 30 November 2024.
Status: Achieved	We achieved Platinum level and were the top performing council in Northern Ireland.
Measure	Gaps identified in the 2023 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey addressed by 31 October 2024.
Status: Achieved	We have developed and agreed waste harmonisation plans to improve recycling performance, delivered LED and solar PV installations to increase renewable energy generation, completed flood-risk mapping, and progressed several biodiversity projects. We also monitor and report on Scope 1, Scope 2, and four categories of Scope 3 carbon emissions.

Outcome: Opportunities to engage in environmental education programmes.
Measure	10 community engagement sessions held on Waste and Recycling, and Climate and Sustainability by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	We delivered 10 community sessions and engaged local businesses as they developed their Climate Action Plans through the Collaborative Growth Network.
Measure	Support for the Eco-Schools programme, with a 5% increase in the number of schools with Green Flags by 30 June 2025.
Status: Achieved	The number of schools with Green Flag status has increased by 5%.
Measure	Delivery of 5 circular economy waste initiatives by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	We delivered 5 key circular economy initiatives during the year. These will continue to be delivered during 2025/26. For more information, please see Self-Imposed Indicators and Standards section of this report.