Cookies information

exeter.gov.uk uses cookies to make the site simpler. Find out more about the cookies we use.

Close banner

Easter bin collections

All bin collections following a bank holiday will now take place one day late from 29 March to 6 April. See our Easter Bin Collection page for further details.

Online and telephone payments

Due to a fault, our online and telephone payment services are currently unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience caused while our service provider works to fix the problem.

Net zero risk register

Show all parts of this guide

1. Net zero by 2030 is too ambitious

Risk Title and Description

Too ambitious target to reduce City Council carbon emission to 'net zero' by 2030.

Service: Net Zero & Business

Date identified: 13 June 2022

Owner: Net Zero Project Manager

Target implementation date: 2030

Potential Causes:

  • Ineffective data monitoring & methodology
  • Change in Corporate Priorities
  • Lack of understanding of carbon emergency and net zero ambition
  • Officers unwilling or with no capacity to engage or make changes to their service
  • Lack of technological advancement and financial barriers
  • Growth in activity levels increasing scope 3 emissions
  • Buying of building new buildings/property

Potential Impacts:

  • Not achieving Corporate Priority
  • Reputational risk and damage
  • Carbon emissions not decreasing
  • Services being under the spotlight as high carbon emitters
  • Reliance on offsetting
  • High spend to achieve aggressive carbon reduction methods
  • Lack of funds to reduce carbon emissions

 

Existing Mitigations & Control

What has been done to control the risk?

  • Establishment of Net Zero Team
  • Regular engagement with relevant Directors on changes needed to reduce service carbon emissions
  • Engagement with Centre for Energy and Environment to establish improved data and changes required to reduce carbon emissions and production of Corporate Carbon Footprint
  • Engage with the Devon Climate Emergency team
  • Network to learn from best practice with industry and other public organisations
  • Net Zero Ambassadors meet on regular basis to share best practice and support service changes
  • Carbon Literacy training roll out programme in place delivering training to Net Zero Ambassadors, SMB, OMB, Cllrs and other officers
  • Monitor legislative changes to support a reduction in carbon emissions
  • Regular 1-2-1's with Portoflio Holder for climate change
  • Be open and transparent with all Net Zero Ambassadors, Officers, Service Areas and Cllrs
  • News items regularly posted in City Newsletter and website
  • Site visits to new Water Lane solar farm and battery storage project

 

Further Mitigations & Controls to be put into place

  • Keep targets realistic and update and review carbon emissions annually
  • Regular updates and presentations provided to Strategic Scrutiny on Risk register, Carbon Footprint and implementing of the City Council Carbon Reduction Action Plan
  • Extend contracts of Net Zero Data Support Officer and Sustainability Project Officer to support work until 2030
  • Net Zero Ambassadors to be involved with setting annual action plan and targets
  • Net Zero Ambassadors to be allocated budget to reduce carbon emissions and allow ownership on service level
  • Be open and transparent with all Net Zero Ambassadors, Officers, Service Areas and Cllrs

 

Notes

As a result of reduced spend, and improved data collection  the City Council's carbon emissions has been updated in the 2021/22 footprint with an overall carbon emission reduction of 6% based on the previous year.

 

Risk scores

Inherent risk
Risk Score
Likelihood 4
Impact 4
Risk score 16

 

Residual risk
Risk Score
Likelihood 3
Impact 4
Risk score 12

 

Risk scores explained