National Outcome 14

NO14 - We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production

Aberdeen City Council remains committed to reducing its carbon footprint and addressing the high levels of local consumption in energy, food, transport and housing. During 2008-2009 real progress has been made to minimise the impact of council activities on the environment.

The development and progress of innovative city council schemes; including addressing poor insulation in hard to heat Victorian tenements, has improved energy efficiency in the council housing stock. This combined with successful partnership work with local energy advice agencies; and an ambitious decentralised energy programme has seen a sustained improvement in Aberdeen’s National Home Energy Rating.

Significant work was undertaken in 2008/09 to prepare for the introduction of new recycling services in Aberdeen, including a food waste collection service. The first phase of this roll out commenced in April 2009 and the impact of this is not yet reflected in the 08/09 combined composting and recycling rate. Despite this, an improvement the city recycling rates has been achieved. Work on a draft Waste Strategy for Aberdeen City was commenced, updating the 2001 version to ensure Aberdeen City Council's meets a commitment to a 40% recycling rate by 2011.

During 2008 - 2009 a range of local transport initiatives were developed improving local public transport options and increasing cycling facilities and city cycle routes. There has been a decline in the number of adults driving to work and increased numbers of children walking and cycling to school, with the volume of traffic on Aberdeen trunk roads at its lowest since 2001.

LO14A The impact of council activities on the environment is minimised, including a target of being carbon neutral overall by 2020 and a commitment that all new council developments will be carbon neutral

Measure

Performance

Note

Council Stock National Home Energy rating

Despite the legal challenge that has delayed the award of a long term Heating Replacement contract, the Council continues to make real and sustained improvement in the Energy Efficiency of our council housing stock.

Measure

Performance

Note

Tonnage of municipal waste collected

This reduction reflects the drop in economic activity and the drop in collections from commercial customers following a price review exercise.

Measure

Performance

Note

Tonnage of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled

This reduction reflects a drop in economic activity and a drop in collections from commercial customers following a price review exercise. Whilst there has been a year on year improvement, the inability to reach diversion targets follows the decision not to develop Energy from Waste facilities as identified in the Aberdeen City Waste Strategy. Until alternative residual treatment facilities are developed effort is focused on increasing recycling and organic waste recycling to divert biodegradable waste from landfill. A revised city waste strategy will be adopted in early 2010 and implementation of residual treatment procurement is currently scheduled for 2010/11. Target is 53,004 in 2009/10.

Measure

Performance

Note

Carbon Footprint (Tonnes per capita)

This is calculated from 2.5 million tonnes of CO2. Carbon is the biggest contributor to the ecological footprint, which is currently three times the planet's resources. A clearer picture of the footprint will be available in 2009, once more detailed and up-to-date regional information is available.