Air Quality Consultants has developed a new tool to help local authorities set reliable carbon budgets. The firm, which is part of the Logika Group, has worked to allow authorities to compare their emissions proposals with area-specific benchmarks.
“We created the tool to help UK councils reach 2050 net-zero targets”, explained Chris Whall, managing director at Air Quality Consultants. “It’s a great way to put emissions into context.”
Launched this September, the Logika Local Authority Carbon Budget Tool allows all those required to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to compare the emissions of proposed projects with credible, area-specific benchmarks. The news comes at a pivotal moment for the journey to net zero, with the Tyndall Centre’s widely adopted carbon budget tool being taken offline in August, preventing authorities from generating new greenhouse gas reduction plans and targets.
Recognising the importance of continuity, Logika Group used has historical emissions data as a basis, allowing each Local Authority user to ‘pick up where they left off’. Meanwhile, the tool also helps clients to align with the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC’s) historical data and projected carbon budgets, guaranteeing user alignment with ISEP guidance.
Whall added, “Developers and local authorities can compare their proposed projects against net-zero aligned budgets for their local area, helping to drive greater accountability and responsible action. We hope to support this by adding even more useful parameters, such as historic population and economic data moving forward.”
Sourced from Consultancy.uk