At the first Full Council meeting of EDC’s Lib Dem led administration in 2019, EDC declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency. This commits to 2030 dates for the council’s operations to be zero carbon.
Agreed SUSTAINABILITY as the golden thread for the corporate plan of the administrative alliance. This shared commitment and goal has been honoured in a stable and successful system of local government.
Starting from zero, we commissioned CAfS to write a bespoke Carbon Literacy programme for officers and members, and in time appointed a dedicated Sustainability & Biodiversity Team to deliver corporate plan goals progressing ZCO2e and arresting biodiversity loss.
Immediately instigated a review of the Local Plan to introduce policies for climate change and biodiversity.
Established the Greening Eden Businesses Grant Scheme, to allow businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. Grants of up to £10,000 available.
We are retrofitting an office building to be the first UK Town Hall built to Passivhaus standards – completion date December 2022 – a state of the art, ultra low emission service hub for residents, to be shared with partners - as well as a place for local government jobs and services into the future.
Zero Carbon and Biodiversity Strategy published on EDC’s website January 2022.
EDC joined UK100 in October 2021.
Launched the COP26 Community Fund that gives grants to community groups and parish councils to support projects that make a positive difference to biodiversity, energy generation, and/or carbon reduction.
Commissioned a renewable energy opportunities study with Cor-Energy, looking for solar farm opportunities this will provide renewable energy to the District.
We have provided finance for the Council to commission its Zero Carbon Affordable Homes Scheme (Housing Exemplar), which will see very low and zero carbon affordable homes built to meet local housing need whilst responding to our declared climate emergency.
Launched The Greening Campaign for parish and town councils, offering subsidies for councils signing up.
Worked with community groups to deliver tree planting on EDC land.
Eden DC led the way in the NW, succeeding in getting Phase 1a and 1b funding for the fabric first Green Homes Grants Scheme Local Authority Delivery scheme, partnering with E.ON to take forward the scheme with very tight timescales. We led on a Cumbria-wide bid working with the other LAs, to access Phase 2 funding £4,354,944). And we now are partnering with Carlisle CC who are leading on Phase 3 and Homes Upgrade Grant (HUG – mainly for off-gas-grid properties)
Set up a Home Improvement Agency, which encompasses Green Homes Grants Scheme Local Authority Delivery schemes, partnership delivery with CAfS of Warm Homes Eden (energy efficiency measures), Disabled Facilities Grants and other support for residents.
Granted financial support for EV charging points in Appleby. We have adopted an EV charging strategy with Plug-N-Go to put chargers into the few car parks we own and at our offices, and then to help parish and town councils do the same through our COP26 Grant Scheme.
We are in the early stages of developing a sustainable land management scheme, which aims to bring together key landowners across the district.
We are in the process of changing energy used by council run buildings from fossil fuel to renewable electric and biogas, and transitioning our small vehicle fleet towards EVs.
EDC has acquired the service of Pilio in September 2021 to assess scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions and to create a strong baseline. These data will help to find solutions to reduce our carbon footprint. (Carbon management plan for buildings, procurement and transport).
EDC has allocated some budget to recruit an Ecologist to help planning and DM with Biodiversity Net Gain and other national requirements.
Worked with Energy Saving Trust to produce a report on carbon emissions linked with our fleet and grey fleet and offer solution to reduce them.