Climate emergency action plan - pathway to net zero

We often forget that water is a limited resource in the UK, with easy access via our taps for a seemingly endless supply as and when we need it. However, climate change affects water management in multiple ways, ranging from changes in rainfall and therefore seasonal and annual patterns of floods and droughts which can affect water quality and availability. This can have related impacts on our health, economic activities and on ecosystems that depend on freshwater. Discarded plastic and other pollutants, along with an over-use of herbicides and pesticides, are also damaging us and the environment and reducing biodiversity across land and sea. The Environment Act 2021 will drive new business behaviour for waste and recycling, and CBC will continue to work with the business community as well as residents to make sure that we move towards a circular economy, improve resource efficiency through measurement and ensure that the act is translated into action.

Ongoing and completed

A new ‘pocket forest’ of 300 trees will be created thanks to a new coffee pod recycling service. The pioneering Podback scheme has resulted in the kerbside collection of nearly 1 million coffee pods.

While we continue to raise recycling rates, which are up 52.05 per cent at the end of 2020/21, we will also seek to promote the reduction of waste being produced. Waste is no longer sent to landfill, and goes to Gloucestershire County Council’s Javelin Park Energy from Waste facility. This facility produces electricity, but does produce emissions. Our successful behaviour change campaigns aim to educate and raise awareness, ultimately diverting resources from the waste stream and into the recycling stream.

Actions

Priority in 2021-23

• Continue to work with communities and businesses to promote food waste reduction, local food sourcing, sharing of unwanted good to eat food within the community. Continue to promote home composting and sustainable food waste
• Promote community sharing and reuse to reduce waste and unnecessary consumption, including water
• Develop an incentive strategy for all staff, including our partners, to help drive down energy consumption and waste across our buildings
• Reduce the use of single-use plastic in council offices and premises and work with local businesses to help influence reduction in their plastic use and waste

Priority in 2024-26

• Encourage businesses and other organisations within the borough to seek waste and recycling solutions which send zero waste to landfill
• Following the new requirements set out within the Environment Act 2021, ensure adequate recycling and food waste facilities are provided across all Council-owned and operated buildings and community centres. Support small businesses to recycle, as well as seeking to expand the ‘on the go’ recycling bin provision across our public realm
• Reduce water consumption at CBC owned sites
• Leverage the new climate-focussed Supplementary Planning Document to encourage the provision of better waste and recycling facilities in developments. Continue to look to the future for innovative ways of dealing with our waste collections such as underground bins to maximise land use and provide more opportunities for biodiversity

Priority in 2027-28

• Adopt circular-economy waste policies in relevant plans and contracts
• Work with Gloucestershire County Council and other partners to increase the uptake of water butts and grey water recycling in new and existing homes and non-domestic properties as well as continue to promote sustainable food waste disposal across the county as part of Gloucestershire County Council’s contract arrangement for anaerobic digestion