Appendix 6: sustainability implications – manual removal

This guidance is to support project managers when assessing their projects for sustainability and climate impact and to ensure projects are supporting the wider goals of the city’s Carbon Neutral 2030 commitment.

Proposal/advice title: weed management in Brighton & Hove Continuing to use manual techniques to manage and remove weeds from across the city in 2024.

Directorate: Economy, Environment & Culture

Date: January 2024

Sustainability theme	Consideration	Relevant  Yes/No?	If ‘Yes’, is impact positive or negative?	Briefly describe	If negative, briefly describe mitigation measures
Energy	ü Use renewable sources of energy (renewables that are alternatives to combustion), including clean energy providers ü Consider potential for generating renewable energy ü Minimise energy consumption	Yes	Positive and negative	Positive Brushing and hoeing does not require any power. Negative The weed ripper is powered by petrol. Strimmers require electricity.	City Environmental Management Services will continue to test and review weed removal machinery.
Sustainable travel and transport	ü Travel is kept to a minimum but where necessary active and sustainable travel is prioritised for people and deliveries/freight, meaning walking and cycling, public transport, car sharing, electric or low emission vehicles including e-cargo bikes and sustainable logistics solutions ü Consider use of shared mobility scheme options, like BTN BikeShare, car clubs, vehicle leasing ü Consider practices that eliminate or minimise the need to travel, like homeworking and local co-working hubs, remote access to services, like education, health ü Any new Controlled Parking Zone should consider the provision for electric vehicle charging infrastructure	Yes	Positive and negative	Some of the manual equipment requires transportation by vehicle. Positive A diesel or electric vehicle can transport strimmers, depending on availability. Negative A diesel vehicle is required to transport the weed ripper.	A Fleet Replacement Programme is in place to work towards the decarbonisation of council fleet.
Sustainable procurement	The council requires its suppliers to conduct their operations in a sustainable manner, in line with our own priorities and commitments. These can be found in our Sustainable Procurement Policy.  To ensure that our suppliers share our commitment to reducing the impact of the products and services they provide you can: ü read the council’s Sustainable Procurement Policy ü have a look at the council’s Social Value Framework on p13 to 15 which lists Environmental Sustainability examples in the last column ü detail any sustainability requirements you want the winning bidder to follow and/ or deliver as part of the contract in your specification ü include a sustainability quality question in your tender ü consider adding a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that is linked to reducing environmental impact ü if you’re buying food for the council or procuring a catering contract, read the council’s Buying Standards for Catering Contracts; and include these requirements in your specification For further help and advice, please contact the BHCC Procurement Team	No	N/A	N/A	N/A
Circular waste management practices and procurement	ü Consumption and use of virgin materials is eliminated or kept to an absolute minimum ü Consider leasing of equipment, materials, resources and property rather than purchasing or building new ü Use of 100% reused / repurposed materials ü Packaging and wasted materials are eliminated, kept to a minimum and made from renewable materials ü Ensure food waste is minimised or re-distributed to benefit local communities	No	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sustainable economy	ü Support local economy and local employment ü Consider impact to local businesses and high streets ü Consider opportunities for quality green skills development and training ü Consider circular principles that are outlined in the BHCC Circular Economy Route Map	No	N/A	N/A	N/A
Health, safety, wellbeing and local communities	ü Promote healthy, safe and secure environments in which to live and work ü Consider impact of noise, stress and air quality to local residents, building occupants and communities	Yes	Positive and negative	Positive Some highways will be free of weeds, making it accessible for people to move around, including those in wheelchairs, with mobility issues or pushing prams. Negative Using manual techniques to remove weeds means it is not possible to keep all of the highway free from weeds, potentially resulting in accessibility issues in some areas. Manual removal of weeds is noisy when scrapping pavements with hoes. Strimmers and weed rippers make a lot of noise. Manual removal of weeds is hard on the body and there is an increase in staff reporting musculoskeletal problems.	Those undertaking weed treatment will be wearing full and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Risk Assessment Method Statements have been prepared by the council to ensure operatives minimise the risks caused by manual weed removal.
Sustainable water	ü Minimise water consumption and ensure water efficiency measures are in place ü Consider water harvesting and reuse ü Consider impact to water pollution from chemicals use, particularly in relation to vehicle use, cleaning and maintenance ü Consider use of sustainable urban drainage for minimising impact of water pollution and surface water flooding, in particular, permeable surfaces ü Use drought tolerant, native planting schemes to minimise irrigation requirements	No	N/A	N/A	N/A
Biodiversity and nature conservation	ü Seek to protect, enhance and create natural habitats to support local species and wildlife ü Ensure pesticides and herbicides are not used unless in exceptional circumstances ü Consider ecosystem service impacts and appropriate mitigation ü Consider use of nature-based solutions ü Support the ambitions and aspirations of The Living Coast Biosphere ü Consider how local communities can be engaged and benefit from improvements to their natural environment	Yes	Positive	It is not possible to remove all weeds using manual methods. This means some weeds remain whilst others grow back providing a habitat for nature supporting council’s ability to address the climate and biodiversity emergency. The council is a lead partner in The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere. One of the key objectives is the conservation of biodiversity. The manual removal of weeds supports this. Supplementary Planning Document 11, in its notes on habitat creation and enhancement, says “chemical applications should be avoided”. The manual removal of weeds supports this.