Carbon Impact Assessment
If an impact or potential impacts are identified
What will the decision/proposal impact
Emissions from non-domestic buildings?
Impact
None
Describe impacts or potential impacts on emissions from the Council and its contractors
The Council has produced a Heat Decarbonisation Plan for the Council’s corporate estate, which targets operational buildings with heating systems that are reaching the end of their serviceable life. As part of the Council’s Heat Decarbonisation Plan, all scheduled LED lighting upgrades have been completed. Riverside House solar canopy works are currently awaiting a final ground survey.
The Council has made good progress with delivering Energy Conservation Measures within Council buildings, however the next upgrades to heating and hot water systems are delayed due to setbacks in the construction of the Rotherham Heat Network. Final building designs are reliant on knowing the expected incoming temperature from a heat network which is currently unknown.
Greenhouse gas emissions from the Council buildings have increased due to an increase in the carbon intensity of electricity. Data from the 2023/24 financial year, published in Quarter 2 2024/25, indicates a 7% rise in carbon emissions across the corporate estate. This is linked to the use of carbon-based fuel to generate electricity at source and delays in the decarbonisation of the UK grid. The 2024/25 target of a 10% reduction in emissions is not expected to be achieved, however the Council continues to carry out actions to reduce gas emissions.
In relation to renewable energy generation, following assessments no council sites are currently considered to be suitable for low carbon energy generation. However, a wider assessment of land throughout the borough is currently being undertaken.
Describe any measures to mitigate emission impacts
See actions outlined in the previous column.
New YADP for 2025-26 includes new actions which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Outline any monitoring of emission impacts that will be carried out
Carbon Impact Assessments required for all Cabinet reports.
All emissions from operational buildings are monitored and reported publicly.
Future Council Plan/YADP progress reports to Cabinet will include an updated CIA.
What will the decision/proposal impact
Emissions from transport?
Impact
None
Describe impacts or potential impacts on emissions from the Council and its contractors
A fleet conversion plan has been developed, and a fleet programme officer has been appointed. In addition, a trial has been concluded of an alternative low carbon fuel known as ‘Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil’ in place of diesel across a sample size of 10 vehicles, which aims to deliver a 90% carbon reduction from emissions. Results are currently being analysed, however do demonstrate a significant reduction in carbon emissions. If results show that the trail has been successful, this may be implemented across the wider fleet.
Greenhouse gas emissions from these sources have increased over the last three financial years, driven by increasing business mileage since the end of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Data for 2023/24 financial year indicates a decrease of -2.70%. This carbon saving was delivered by a 7-month trail of HVO biodiesel in 10 corporate fleet vehicles. HVO has continued to be used in those vehicles since the trail ended. It is not expected that the 2024/25 target of a 10% reduction in emissions from fleet and EV infrastructure during the year can be achieved however the Council continues to carry out actions to reduce these types of gas emissions.
Describe impact or potential impacts on emissions across the Borough as a whole
Sheffield Road Cycleway completed under the Transforming Cities Fund and the Active Travel Fund Programmes. This is expected to reduce transport emissions.
Work has continued with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority regarding the development of the Transforming Cities Fund programme, including the Magna Tram Train project, the Parkgate Link Road and the Park and Ride at Parkgate. All these schemes are expected to reduce transport emissions.
As part of the Local Neighbourhood Road Safety Programme, schemes in 8 out of 13 wards have been completed – 20 mph zones which work to decrease emissions are included in these schemes.
Describe any measures to mitigate emission impacts
See actions outlined in previous two columns.
The Independent Travel Training Programme is in place to support children with special educational needs or disabilities who would normally access the Council’s Home to School transport services. This initiative is promoting more sustainable travel and transport solutions.
The new YADP for 2025-26 includes new actions which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Outline any monitoring of emission impacts that will be carried out
Approaches to monitoring vehicle usage, emissions, and fuel efficiency.
Carbon Impact Assessments required for all cabinet reports.
Future Council Plan/YADP progress reports to Cabinet will include an updated CIA.
What will the decision/proposal impact
Emissions from waste, or the quantity of waste itself?
Impact
None
Describe impacts or potential impacts on emissions from the Council and its contractors
The proportion of waste sent for reuse (recycling and composting) is 37.5% against the target of 45%. This is well short of the target for the year however, the data is provisional, the finalised recycling rate figures are based on the three months previous. This is just the percentage of kerbside waste that is collected for recycling, not overall recycling rates.
Describe any measures to mitigate emission impacts
See actions outlined in previous column.
New YADP for 2025-26 includes new actions which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Outline any monitoring of emission impacts that will be carried out
Improved information and data to take further action in reducing waste, improving recycling rates and reducing contamination.
Carbon Impact Assessments required for all cabinet reports.
Future Council Plan/YADP progress reports to Cabinet will include an updated CIA.
What will the decision/proposal impact
Emissions from housing and domestic buildings?
Impact
None
Describe impact or potential impacts on emissions across the Borough as a whole
The Council is continuing to deliver on its commitment to build 1,000 new homes through the Housing Growth Programme. An additional 156 new homes were built or acquired in 2024/25, six more than the target. This includes the first no-gas Council homes at East Herringthorpe and the Small Sites Homes Building Initiative. These houses will imply an increase in emissions from domestic buildings, however in the case of buildings being taken up by existing residents this may not be significantly different to current domestic emissions from those residents.
including:
- Under-floor heating – improves the efficiency of the ASHP system and internal space standards on the ground floor.
- Solar photo-voltaic panels (PV) – reduces carbon emissions by allowing the homes to self-generate energy and can thereby help reduce energy bills for occupiers.
- Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) – improves the efficiency of the ASHP system by allowing air to be recirculated within the dwelling. MVHR can also improve internal air quality, reduce condensation, and help to manage over-heating.
Additional airtightness works – reduce heat loss.
Describe any measures to mitigate emission impacts
Housing Strategy for 2022-2025 includes the Green Housing Strategy to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency of homes.
The amount of council housing with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rated C is 58% which has exceeded its target of 50%. By the end of Quarter 4, 11,570 of 19,918 council housing properties were rated C and above.
New YADP for 2025-26 includes new actions which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Outline any monitoring of emission impacts that will be carried out
Establish housing stock emission baselines, consolidating the available intelligence and gathering further data as required, using existing data on council-owned housing stock, and developing intelligence on the wider housing stock across the Borough.
Carbon Impact Assessments required for all cabinet reports.
Future Council Plan/YADP progress reports to Cabinet will include an updated CIA.
What will the decision/proposal impact
Emissions from construction and/or development?
Impact
None
Describe impacts or potential impacts on emissions from the Council and its contractors
Construction and developments, such as the continuation of the 2024 roads programme, the completion of the Swinton Library Neighbourhood Hub and Civic Hall and developing new and improved play areas for children and young people, will increase emissions.
Plans for large scale developments and improvements, such as the Towns and Villages Fund, Future High Streets Fund, and the Levelling Up Fund, programme, may all have significant effects on carbon emissions. This includes the Magna and Wentworth Woodhouse Leisure Economy Projects.
The construction and completion of the leisure development on Forge Island may have entailed an increase in carbon emissions. However, the Travelodge hotel has several sustainable building features such as PV cells and EV car charging points within the Forge Island car park.
Demolition projects, including 3-7 Corporation Street and Guardian Centre Building to facilitate further development works may have significantly impacted carbon emissions.
Describe any measures to mitigate emission impacts
Introduction of further SPDs (supplementary planning documents) relevant to climate change – SPDs can elaborate on Local Plan policies, giving developers additional technical guidance, speeding up applications and resulting in better quality development for the community and environment.
See actions outlined in previous two columns.
New YADP for 2025-26 includes new actions which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
Outline any monitoring of emission impacts that will be carried out
Carbon Impact Assessments required for all cabinet reports.
Future Council Plan/YADP progress reports to Cabinet will include an updated CIA.
What will the decision/proposal impact
Carbon capture (e.g. through trees)?
Impact
None
Describe impact or potential impacts on emissions across the Borough as a whole
597 trees have been planted by the council in 2024/25, 97 above the target.
Improvements in the approach to weed control and removal, as well as sustainable management of verges and greenspaces to encouraging biodiversity and increase wildflower areas, with potential (but likely negligible) impact on carbon capture.
Outline any monitoring of emission impacts that will be carried out
The Council currently has little data related to carbon sequestered via trees, limiting our understanding of the planting required to offset emissions.
Carbon Impact Assessments required for all cabinet reports.
Future Council Plan/YADP progress reports to Cabinet will include an updated CIA.
Identify any emissions impacts associated with this decision which have not been covered by the above fields
25 ward plans produced and published annually are informed by local communities, many of these include priorities to improve the local environment and tackle climate change.
The Climate Emergency Annual Report was presented to Cabinet in February 2025.
To ensure the Council remains focussed on working towards the outcomes and commitments set out in the Council Plan, a review of the Council Plan performance targets was carried out and new Year Ahead Delivery Plan actions were identified for 2024-25, some of which contributed to reducing carbon emissions across the borough during the financial year. Progress against these have been reported to Cabinet twice a year.
Climate Change and reducing emissions has been considered when developing the new Council Plan for 2025-30.
Will the proposal affect Council services’ resilience to climate change, or the capacity of people living in the Borough to adapt to climate change?
A programme of six priority flood alleviation schemes has seen a continuous, 1.6km line of defence completed on the north and west banks of the river Don, where it flows through the town centre: a flood wall, canal barrier and public realm improvements at Forge Island comprise a 0.4km section of these defences. Other priority schemes have been brought to ‘shovel ready’ status, alongside a programme of small and medium scale works which have delivered reductions in flood risk for local communities, in a ‘no regrets’ approach to flood risk management.
Provide a summary of all impacts and mitigation/monitoring measures
Given that this is a progress report, and implies no direct recommendations or decisions, there are no relevant emission impacts to consider. Where progress on certain actions has implied a specific definable impact on emissions, this has been included indicatively.
Supporting information
Climate Impact Assessment Author:
Simon Dennis
Policy, Improvement and Risk Manager
Policy, Performance and Business Intelligence
ACEX
Please outline any research, data or information used to complete this Climate Impact Assessment.
Directorate Year Ahead Delivery Plan trackers and Performance Data for Quarter 3 and 4 2024/25.
Validation
Tracking Reference: CIA 493
Arthur King
Principal Climate Change Officer
