Action Plan Theme

Key Performance Indicators

Progress

1.   Active travel and green transportation

1. Improvement in Borough wide Air Quality

There is a year-on-year decrease for most pollution monitoring sites since 2017 across the borough air quality 40µg/m3 or lower. In 2020, there was a drop in NO2 levels, as a result of the lockdowns, in 2021 data mostly shows a small increase compared to 2020 level, however this is not as high as pre-pandemic levels.

2. Borough wide carbon reduction

Borough wide carbon emissions have reduced by 1,130.9 to 754.2 (These cover territorial emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O)^[1]. Or a -33% Percentage change between 2005 to 2019 in CO2 emissions per sq km.                                     

3. Number EVs charge points across the borough

There are currently 65 public EV charging points in Maidstone Borough. According to government targets, Maidstone should aim to install 862 EV charging points by 2030.

2.   Decarbonising and insulating homes and buildings

1. EPC category improvements

Of 65,000 house EPC’s produced in the borough 48% are A-C and 52% are D-G. Since 2017 it looks like 15,760 have become EPC C or higher[2].

3.   Generating renewable energy

1. Level of installed capacity of clean energy (GWh) across borough

Maidstone Borough has an installed capacity of 68.4MW of renewable electricity installed and a total of 163,242MWh Renewable electricity generation as of the end of 2021.

4.   Reducing waste and increasing energy efficiency

1. Reduction in solid waste in tonnes across borough

52% of waste in Maidstone borough is reused, recycled or composted.

5.   Adapting to climate change

a.    Sustainable (climate and biodiversity) Policies adopted as part of local plan review/DPD

TBD

6.   Enhancing and increasing biodiversity

1. Increase in Forest area as a proportion of total land area and protected, restored existing trees, hedgerow, and woodland

784ha additional land or change of land for tree planting and rewilding to increase canopy cover by 2% (Maidstone total 39,342ha). 71,000 trees planted per year for 17 years. In 2022 approximately

2. Amount of Protected area coverage of important biodiversity areas and access to natural green space

TBD

3. Reductions in water source nitrates and phosphate levels

Information gathered by the Environment Agency in Table 5.9 shows the

ecological and chemical status of water bodies in and around Maidstone. In total, 73% of water bodies have been classified as moderate in terms of ecological status or potential (this figure excludes groundwater bodies). 85% of water bodies have a chemical status of good[3].

7.   Making our estate carbon neutral

1. Reduction in Carbon Emission Scope 1 and 2 (tonnes of CO2 equivalent) primarily monitored from the MBC estate and fleet

Awaiting completion of Carbon Dashboard system integrating MBC buildings and Fleet for updated 2022 carbon footprint to compare to 2020 baseline.

8.   Communications and engagement strategy

1. Increase in engagement events on climate and biodiversity related issues

There were 0 Biodiversity and Climate Change focused events held in 2021. There have been 17 separate events held in 2022, supported, facilitated or developed by MBC, including:

• The Vegetarian Food Festival
• World Bee Day
• LUSH Bubble Bar Workshop
• Active Travel Day with San Fairy Ann Cycling Club
• Intro to Heat Pumps Talk
• Communigrow Workshop - Making mini bug hotel
• MBC Staff Energy Clinic
• Kids Craft Morning – making wildflower seed bombs
• Climate & Health Talk
• Small Changes Towards Sustainable Living Talk by the Bare Bazaar
• Communigrow workshop- make natural plant labels
• Sustainable Business Event
• Vegetarian Society talk recipes

9.   Sustainable decision-making processes and governance

1. Reduction in Scope 3 Carbon Emission (tonnes of CO2 equivalent) from procurement (contracts and services)

TBD

2. Change in staff milage, active travel, miles reclaimed

TBD