Along with transport, the city's buildings continue to be the greatest producer of emissions - and though the trend for emissions is a slight reduction, there is huge way to go to reach net zero.
The Government continue to stress this with the release of several funding streams aimed at retrofitting both domestic and public sector buildings. The Council has been successful in obtaining funds from these, though significant additional funding is vital in order to achieve the scale of retrofits required in the city to meet the 2030 target.
The buildings sector provides an opportunity for local action to make a real impact on carbon emissions. The range of actions that can help achieve this is vast, as are the co-benefits that come with retrofitting – including benefits to the local economy and employment market, improved living conditions and health and wellbeing, reduction in energy cost and fuel poverty. The scope of building actions in this year's plan is wide ranging and covers policy, new build, retrofit and engagement – all of which are essential if we are to provide a robust response to the decarbonisation of buildings.
3.1 - Commence delivery of Phase 3 of the Green Homes Programme by improving the energy efficiency of over 150 homes by 2023.
3.2 - The University of Plymouth will continue to work towards net zero emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 2025 and deliver fuel and power conversion to renewables through onsite photovoltaic and heat pump installations.
3.3 - The University of Plymouth will continue to deliver energy reduction projects (and work towards reducing mains grid electricity use by 20% and mains gas by 25% as a minimum by 2030 from 2005/06 levels) including: remaining LED lighting conversion projects; smart building management system upgrades for advanced controls; transformer replacements; big data project, using data driven analytics to reduce energy use.
3.4 - University Hospital Plymouth will work towards reducing the Trust’s carbon footprint by 20% by 2025 and reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2030.
3.5 - University Hospital Plymouth will work towards achieving a 10% net biodiversity gain by 2025.
3.6 - Plymouth Marjon to complete the roll out of ground source heat pumps in 44 of their student accommodation units and education buildings, saving 600 tonnes of CO2 per year when up and running in March 2022.
3.7 - Commission a biodiversity report in order to set targets and measure improvements to biodiversity on the Plymouth Marjon Campus.
3.8 - Secure planning permission for a flagship Energiesprong low carbon housing development on land at Kings Tamerton and commence on-site infrastructure works.
3.9 - Identify further housing sites in the city which could deliver exemplar low and zero carbon housing as part of the Eco Homes Programme.
3.10 - Work with the University Sustainable Earth Institute to develop a guide for developers highlighting the benefits of green walls and roofs in new housing developments and seek to ensure these are provided for in future housing schemes.
3.11 - Engage with Western Power to establish existing grid capacity and understand the impact of new development. Explore smart approaches that would reduce the impact of new developments on the electricity grid.
3.12 - Work with the Plymouth Net Zero Partnership to investigate innovations in decarbonising buildings.
3.13 - Working with Plymouth Energy Community, Plymouth Community Homes and Live West, investigate opportunities to deliver EnergieSprong household retrofits in partnership with Homes England.
3.14 - Work closely with UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), review and where relevant join its low carbon campaigns and low carbon learning opportunities.
3.15 - Lobby government to provide funding support to registered providers, house builders and developers in areas of comparably lower house values like Plymouth, to meet the additional development costs of achieving net zero housing.
3.16 - Work with Local Authority Building Control to interrogate the detail of Future Homes Standards and Future Buildings Standards once they are published and lobby government for improvements where standards are considered not ambitious enough to meet the 2030 net zero commitment.
3.17 - Provide advice (with Plymouth Energy Community) to in excess of 200 landlords from the private rented sector on how they can improve the energy rating of their properties.
3.18 - Work with social housing providers to apply for funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, to lower the carbon emissions, reduce fuel bills and improve the comfort and health of over 100 households in the city.
3.19 - Implement an accessible web-based home assessment tool working with Plymouth Energy Community to help residents establish their eligibility for funding of energy saving upgrades by 2022.
3.20 - Provide a digital resource for households to provide information on the viability of heat pumps retrofits for a range of typical housing types in Plymouth by 2022.
3.21 - Continue the delivery of surface water drainage improvements in Central Park to reduce the risk of flooding in Central Park and Central Park Avenue.
3.22 - Commence delivery of surface water storage and Landscape Masterplanning in Trefusis Park to better protect properties in Lipson Vale and Bernice Terrace and improve park amenity and ecological value.
3.23 - Commence work to extend tidal flood defences at Arnold’s Point along the Embankment up to the rail bridge.
3.24 - Commence the delivery of improvements to protect the causeway, public footpath and tidal creek ecology at Ernesettle Creek.