Well-being plan for Pembrokeshire

Project Plan: Decarbonisation and Net Zero

Project background

Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time. From shifting weather patterns threatening food production to rising sea levels and the prospect of catastrophic flooding, the impact of climate change is global in scope, unprecedented in scale, and of widespread concern to all of us. Immediate, effective action needs to be taken to reduce our carbon footprint. This is necessary in addition to establishing policies and taking action to improve our resilience for the future. Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change is one of the 4 Themes in the South West Area Statement and the overwhelming message from SoNaRR2020 is that societal transformation is needed in the food, energy and transport systems. Consideration of these three systems therefore leads to collaborative opportunities for PSBs to consider in working towards achieving net zero goals. It is also recognised that the transition to net zero must be a “just transition” managed to be both equitable and fair.

Welsh Government stated a Climate Emergency in 2019, Pembrokeshire County Council did similarly in May 2019 and went on to create an action plan to steer PCC towards becoming a net zero carbon local authority by 2030. The South Wales Energy Strategy provides a strategic pathway and the Pembrokeshire Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) builds upon this work describing actions needed to reach energy and climate goals

 

Headline actions and sub-actions, including timescale for delivery

Outputs: What will be delivered?

Outcomes: What will be achieved? What will change?

Which of the PSB’s Well-being Objectives does this work contribute to and how?

Which of the following Well-being Goals and Well-being areas does this project contribute to?

How does this project align with the five ways of working?

 

 

Headline actions and sub-actions, including timescale for delivery

 

Headline action – Work together to share good practice, deliver carbon reduction actions and reduce carbon use to net zero by 2030

Sub-actions;

• Deliver carbon literacy training, or equivalent, to all levels throughout PSB partner organisations to raise awareness of the issues and the action that will be required to reduce carbon use
• Identify opportunities for collaborative and co-ordinated action, including at a regional level where appropriate through established or new networks

Timescale: Medium term (1 to 5 years)

 

Headline action: Monitor and support delivery of the Pembrokeshire Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP)

Sub-actions;

• Identify areas within the LAEP that the PSB can support
• Utilise the collective influence of the PSB to address any areas of challenge to delivery
• Steer the implementation of the LAEP to ensure application of the principles of building a sustainable, fair and green economy, with high value green jobs, skills and training opportunities, to enable a just transition from a fossil fuel based energy system to a renewable based energy system, and acknowledging the need to fully engage communities in the transition

Timescale: Medium to longer term (1 to 5 years and beyond)

 

Outputs: What will be delivered?

• Carbon literacy training, or equivalent, will be delivered throughout PSB partner organisations
• Effective implementation of carbon reduction plans and activity
• A delivery plan outlining areas within the LAEP which the PSB can deliver collaboratively

 

Outcomes: What will be achieved?  What will change?

• Awareness of the activity required to reduce carbon emissions will be embedded throughout PSB partner organisations, influencing the actions of decision-makers
• Appreciation that taking these actions must be set against the principles of building a sustainable, fair and green economy, with high value green jobs, skills and training opportunities, leading to a just transition from a fossil fuel based energy system to a renewable based energy system, and the need for fully engaging communities in the transition

 

Which of the PSB’s Well-being Objectives does this work contribute to and how?

Well-being Objective 1

Support growth, jobs and prosperity and enable the transition to a more sustainable and greener economy

• Activity will link to renewable energy and apply the principles of building a sustainable, fair and green economy, with high value green jobs, skills and training opportunities.  It will also contribute towards transformational change in the energy sector leading to a just transition from a fossil fuel based energy system to a renewable based energy system, whilst fully engaging communities in that transition. Activity looks at the whole energy system considering the integration of renewable energy technologies across buildings, transport, heat, business & industry and power sectors, to drive decarbonisation and net zero.

Well-being Objective 2

Work with our communities to reduce inequalities and improve well-being

• Reducing the environmental risks associated with carbon emissions will assist in reducing health inequalities and improve the well-being of populations. The work contributes towards transformational change in the energy sector leading to a just transition from a fossil fuel based energy system to a renewable based energy system, whilst fully engaging communities in that transition

Well-being Objective 3

Promote and support initiatives to deliver decarbonisation, manage climate adaptation and tackle the nature emergency

• Activity in this project area will be aimed specifically at reducing carbon emissions through a range of actions including transformation of the local energy system. The work looks at the whole energy system considering the integration of renewable energy technologies across buildings, transport, heat, business & industry and power sectors, to drive decarbonisation and net zero and mitigate the effects of climate change which can assist in stabilising ecosystems addressing the nature emergency.

Well-being Objective 4

Enable safe, connected, resourceful and diverse communities

• Applying the principles of building a sustainable, fair and green economy, with high value green jobs, skills and training opportunities will contribute towards transformational change in the energy sector leading to a just transition from a fossil fuel based energy system to a renewable based energy system. Engaging communities to become involved in activity which contributes to reducing carbon emissions will help them to become more connected to their local areas, encourage resourcefulness and, by mitigating the worst effects of climate change, lead to a safer and more stable environment for all.

 

Which of the following Well-being Goals and Well-being areas does this project contribute to? 

 

Well-being areas

• Environmental
• Economic
• Social
• Cultural

 a prosperous Wales

 a resilient Wales

 a healthier Wales

 a more equal Wales

 a Wales of cohesive communities

 a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh Language

 a globally responsible Wales

 

 

How does this project align with the five ways of working?

Long-term: The importance of balancing short-term needs with the needs to safeguard the ability to also meet long-term needs

• The targets to be achieved in relation to decarbonisation and achieving net zero extend beyond the life of this project, however, to achieve success work is required now. The two key targets are for the Welsh public service to be net zero by 2030 and for Wales to become net zero by 2050. These long-term targets will need to be considered when agreeing and implementing the well-being plan

Prevention: How acting to prevent problems occurring or getting worse may help public bodies meet their objectives

• Reducing carbon emissions mitigates the worst effects of climate change leading to a safer and more stable environment for all. It assists with stabilising ecosystems addresses the nature emergency. Taking action to reduce emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels can ultimately eliminate harmful particulates being released into the environment thus improving people’s health and preventing health issues from occurring in the future.

Integration: Considering how the public body’s well-being objectives may impact upon each of the well-being goals, on their objectives, or on the objectives of other public bodies

• Pembrokeshire and Wales must transition to a decarbonised future and therefore action and investment undertaken as a result of this plan will have a positive impact in the future. All PSB members need to participate in this work to ensure that we are able to deliver our long-term goals.

Collaboration: Acting in collaboration with any other person (or different parts of the body itself) that could help the body to meet its well-being objectives

• This work will require new ways of working and therefore all PSB members need to collaborate and share good practice.  The work will see the continuation of the PSB’s collaboration with community and 3^rd sector energy projects, and the private sector on regional and nationally significant renewable energy and clean hydrogen projects such as Milford Haven : Energy Kingdom, South Wales Industrial Cluster, Celtic Freeport, The Milford Haven Waterway Future Energy Cluster and Celtic Sea Cluster Strategic Board

Involvement: The importance of involving people with an interest in achieving the well-being goals, and ensuring that those people reflect the diversity of the area which the body serves

• Because of the new ways of working this work will require, it is essential that officers delivering services, and people using those services, are involved in agreeing how service delivery is changed.  Transformational change in the energy sector leading to a just transition from a fossil fuel based energy system to a renewable based energy system, requires that everyone is involved and engaged in that transition as fully as possible.