The first progress report from the Climate Change Transformation Team and Board has been published online.
action
The Phase One Action Plan consisted of 60 actions across 10 workstreams, running until April 1, 2022, and this new report gives a detailed update of the progress from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
It states that, of the actions set out in the original plan, 20 have been completed, 27 are in progress, seven have been superseded, three have been closed and three not started.
An item can be superseded if either an action in the Climate Change Plan 2022-2027 supersedes the previous action in the Phase One Plan, or the Climate Change Act 2021 provides a statutory framework for completion of the action.
It can be closed if it is not deemed feasible, and if it is not started, this is because the Climate Change Transformation Team has carried out a prioritisation exercise across all 60 actions to enable resource to focus on the most urgent actions.
During the report period, ‘no new significant emission sources were identified’, and several schemes have been implemented to tackle the climate crisis.
The People’s Wood at Meary Veg, peatland restoration work and new woodland creation adjacent to King’s Forest, Greeba, have all been highlighted as successful.
The report also outlines several ‘barriers’ to emission reductions.
Completed
The list of actions which have been successfully completed is quite substantial.
A Climate Change Transformation Board and team has been established, and this team has already:
l Established a transformation fund
l Eliminated unnecessary single use plastics and other disposables from government use
l Launched prior information notice for onshore renewable energy generation up to a maximum capacity of 20MW
l Planted a woodland (Keyll y Theay) of 85,000 trees at Meary Veg
l Ensured the new Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessel specification allows transition to alternative, low carbon fuel
l Developed and implemented a public information and engagement campaign
l Carried out further research and analytical work on areas beyond the scope of Professor Curran’s report that might provide further options for action for the IOM to achieve Net Zero by 2050
l Carry out further research to fill evidence gaps identified within Professor Curran’s and the Analytical Team’s reports
In progress
The list of actions currently in progress are arguably even larger in scope. Alongside those highlighted in our infographic above, these include:
l Include performance indicators in the Programme for government that will monitor and improve the Departments, Boards and Offices’ individual carbon/greenhouse gases impact
l Develop a strategic plan for delivering 75% of the island’s electricity from renewable sources by 2035
l Build awareness and skills for contractors in energy efficiency and low carbon heating options
l Ban fossil fuel heating appliances by 2025 in new build properties and set an appropriate date by which to ban the replacement of existing heating appliances with oil powered models
l Complete the first in a series of woodland planting projects with wider ecosystem benefits
l Ban all peat cutting
l Develop an Active Travel Strategy in line with Planning Policy for areas outside of Douglas
l Develop an all island charging network by 2030
l Develop a strategy to encourage green technology and innovation on the IOM
l Raise awareness of climate science and climate action in schools and encourage change
l Develop a strategy for ‘just transition’ that will enable all sectors of society to make the necessary changes and prevent exclusion or disadvantage through change
The full report is available on the Tynwald website within the register of business section.