By Drew Sandelands

Copyright glasgowlive

East Renfrewshire Council is not on track to meet its net-zero targets, with “significant” further investment needed.

The council, which is aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, set out its Get to Zero action plan in February last year.

Of the 86 actions proposed in year one, 70% are “being delivered in line with expectations”, a council report shows. Most of the remaining 30% have been “unable to progress due to changing priorities, national policy not progressing, or lack of access to sufficient funds”.

When the initial plan was approved, it was reported that “as much as £370m capital investment” could be needed up to 2045. A second year plan has now been developed to “continue to reduce emissions”.

But the council is “not forecasting to achieve its 2045 net zero carbon emissions target” without “more significant actions relating to how property is managed”.

“It is recognised that investment in actions for property is significant and will be challenging to progress without further third party funding,” the report adds.

Officials state that properties account for 75% of all the council’s operational emissions, excluding supply chain emissions.

Actions which “provide the most significant opportunity for emissions reduction” include converting to cleaner heating systems and improving insulation, doors, windows and roofs to reduce energy consumption.

Using solar panels, energy efficient lighting and lower energy plant and machinery is required. However, the cost of these actions are “significant”, the report adds, and the council is “unlikely to make major progress without funding from third parties”.

It continues: “The council is not alone in facing this challenge and continues to explore funding and new investment models with COSLA and other councils across the city region.”

Measures carried out in year one of the action plan include beginning a phased programme of flat-roof and boiler replacements, heat network feasibility studies and implementing a new building standard for ‘clean heating’ where new homes no longer have gas heating.

There has also been £37,000 granted to six businesses to support renewable energy and energy efficiency works, LED street lights now cover 100% of the network and 10,000 trees have been planted, taking the total planted since 2022 to 32,000.

Other actions include completing a full business case for the new Balgray train station and partnering with Barrhead Housing Association to design net-zero homes in Blackburn Square.

Of 86 actions in the initial plan, 53% have been completed while 17% are on track to be finished this financial year. However, 23% have been cancelled due to “changing circumstances” and 7% won’t be completed “in line with the original expectations”.

There are 68 actions in the second year plan which starts in 2025/26. These include stock condition reports for 220 properties, with an assessment of their suitability for measures like solar panels and heat pumps.

A business case for investing in solar energy generation on council properties is also planned as well as an assessment plan for all services to transition to electric vehicles.

It is also hoped that 180 new public charge points for electric vehicles will be installed over three years, and a local transport strategy will be published outlining priorities over the next 10 years.

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