Agenda item

The Corporate Property Team Manager presented the report which details the environmental performance data for the 2024/25 financial year and progress towards the Authority’s goal of becoming zero carbon by 2050.  The additional appendix relating to the Land Based Emissions was written by Faith Johnson from the Environmental Quality Mark Community Interest Company, who attended the meeting to answer questions.

The following areas were discussed: -

·       It was clarified that the report follows national guidelines and covers some emissions on our land but does not relate to visitors to our sites as this data is covered elsewhere. This report is about the Authorities own carbon emissions and not about all of the emissions across the National Park which is covered in the Management Plan. 

·       It was mentioned that the carbon tool was excellent and it appears that much of the emissions in the Peak District National Park relate to animals on the land.  Members questioned tenancy agreements and the kind of farming allowed on our land and would this report and it’s conclusions be factored into future tenancy agreements as part of the bigger picture. Regarding the Warslow Estate the old tenancies are not successional so there is an opportunity to look at this when tenancies are renewed.

·       Is this information being benchmarked against other managed estates for example Chatsworth or the National Trust?  Benchmarking has been done through FiPL applications and also a study encompassing five National Trust Farmers has taken place.  There is potential for benchmarking in the future and it was suggested that the Holkham Hall Estate has done much work in this area and could be a good source of information.

·       Members asked how the report accounts for ruminant emissions and caution was advised with using these models as different measures can be applied.  The figure in the report is a tool to help management of the land.  There was a DEFRA report which showed the difference in the tools and there is work being done to regularise the tools used.

·       Hopefully next year will be able to look at these three emissions points:

1.     Goods and services purchased by the Authority

2.     Employee Commuting

3.     Home Working

The recommendation as set out in the report was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

1. That Members take note of the information provided within Appendix 1 and recognize it as a reflection of the carbon emissions of the Authority’s operations.