Measure the quality of the environment and manage this in a systematic way
Leeds City Council operates a ‘management system’ to EC Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) standards No. 761/2001. This is to make sure that environmental issues are identified and addressed in a consistent and efficient manner. The Council will: -
- Ensure its environmental management systems are maintained to agreed standards.
- Identify and comply with relevant environmental regulations
- Promote high levels of environmental care and awareness
Promote environmental sustainability in development:
Leeds City Council is able to influence the environmental sustainability of development in the city through its approach to planning, business development services, and by encouraging the Council’s own suppliers to adopt similar standards. The Council will: -
- Ensure protection for the Leeds’ environmental resources.
- Work with its partners to increase the sustainability of urban drainage and protection of the floodplain.
- Monitor the activities of its contractors and suppliers and will ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations.
- Promote principles of environmental sustainability within its economic development and other activities.
Make more sustainable use of energy and reduce contributions to climate change
Leeds City Council contributes to global climate change by producing ‘greenhouse’ gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) from a range of activities. The Council will identify and (where possible) quantify these emissions and establish numerical targets for reduction.
- The Council will consider a range of measures to achieve an overall reduction in ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions. This will include a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from its own operations by 2050.
- Through its Local Transport Plan and related initiatives, the Council will promote a range of measures to reduce transport related energy consumption and CO2 emissions from our vehicles and privately owned vehicles in the City.
- The Council will satisfy its statutory legal responsibilities in respect of home energy efficiency.
Manage wastes more sustainably
The Council has a strategy for managing the city’s waste, which supports national and European principles and targets for more sustainable management of this valuable resource
The Strategy and Action Plan aims to change the behaviour of all waste producers in Leeds through partnership working and sharing of best practice. The strategy also considers waste produced from council buildings, highway works, maintenance of council properties and parks. The Council will:
- Work with partners and contractors, to prevent waste in the first place; maximise the recovery of waste, through methods such as recycling and composting, to reduce the overall volume disposed via landfill.
- Work towards Government targets for waste and where possible exceed them.
- Look at the impact of the waste strategy in relation to the production of ‘greenhouse’ gases and ensure that the Action Plan considers the net effect on greenhouse gas production.
- Support local businesses and initiatives to establish markets for recycled products and encourage the use of products which help to reduce wastes
Monitor and Prevent Pollution:
Leeds City Council has a legal duty to identify contaminated land, monitor pollution levels in air, drinking water and to establish plans for keeping these within certain limits. The Council itself generates pollution from a range of activities - for example, vehicle and flue exhausts, chemicals, fumes or fuel spillage if these are not stored and handled correctly.
- In support of responsibilities for public health and the Council's Air Quality Strategy, the Council will fulfil our statutory responsibilities to monitor levels of pollution in the air and drinking water and to meet inspection requirements for contaminated land and polluting industrial processes in the city.
- The Council will prevent the pollution of water, air and contamination of land that may occur through our spillage, burning or escape of fuels, oils and chemicals.
- The Council will take account of issues relating to air quality in our development and transport policies.
- The Council will develop measures to reduce noise levels arising from transport, industry and construction sites.
Encourage and support more sustainable transport in Leeds
Whilst the private car brings mobility, accessibility and flexibility to many, research suggests that these benefits are not shared by all sections of the community and road transport in the UK is not sustainable. We will work to reduce the environmental impacts of transport, reduce the rate of growth in road traffic and promote a transfer of freight from road to rail and water by:
- Working with our partners to provide infrastructure and technological solutions to enable sustainable forms of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport.
- Ensuring that all major transport action proposals and policies are subject to sustainability appraisal or environmental impact assessment to identify and mitigate environmental aspects
- Considering technological and other options to reduce the environmental impact of our own business travel, the Council fleet and staff commuting.
Improve the quality of neighbourhoods and local environments
Sustainable neighbourhoods make efficient use of land, enable local needs to be met locally and support a high quality of life for residents. Development within these areas should be attractive, of high quality, durable, accessible, and energy-efficient. The Council will: -
- Pursue policies and programmes for regeneration and development, which will ensure efficient use of environmental resources and protection for the historic, built and natural environment of the city.
- The Council will consult, work with and empower local communities to ensure the best possible quality of life for residents and to promote neighbourhoods that have accessible greenspace and are free from pollution, litter, noise and other nuisances
Reduce the environmental impacts of goods and materials used
There is a wide variation in the environmental impacts of products and raw materials we use every day. By comparing these impacts and choosing alternatives where possible, these impacts can be reduced. The Council will: -
- Reduce the environmental impact of goods and materials we use by establishing a comprehensive purchasing policy, which takes account of sustainable alternatives.
- Work in partnership with our suppliers and contractors to reduce the environmental and social impacts of the goods and services we buy.
- Reduce water consumption in Council buildings to levels equal or below national benchmarks.
- Work in partnership with water companies and others to promote equitable and efficient use of water in the city.
Maintain levels of biodiversity and promote nature conservation
The City of Leeds supports a range of habitats that support both typical and rare species, contributing to regional and national biodiversity and providing an attractive and sustainable natural environment for leisure, education and work. The Council has a legal duty to protect and further nature conservation and consider conservation interests in making local decisions. The Council will: -
- Work to preserve important habitats, animals, plants and geological features in the city and contribute to action for biodiversity through implementation of the Leeds Biodiversity Action Plan.
- Work to provide access to nature conservation for all residents in the City.
- Ensure that we comply with relevant environmental legislation and designation for protection of species and habitats and control of invasive species.
Work to ensure high standards of environmental care and sustainability in the provision of education in the City.
Education Leeds is responsible for providing a wide range of support to schools in raising educational standards. Through its role in supporting school improvement Education Leeds is able to positively influence schools on environmental issues. The Council, in partnership with Education Leeds, will: -
- Provide a strategic focus for work on education for sustainable development (ESD) reflecting national, regional and local priorities.
- Support schools in understanding the distinct and positive contribution they can make to sustainable development.
- Work with partner organisations to promote opportunities for learning about sustainable development both in and out of the classroom.