Our emissions

Many of the Council’s activities such as use of fleet vehicles, electricity, and gas, produce greenhouse emissions. The most common of these is carbon dioxide, or CO2. Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to causing climate change, which is in turn making extreme weather events such as flooding, heatwaves, and drought more severe and more common. 

This is producing negative impacts on our lives, from damage to homes to reduced crop yields. The changing climate, and the effects it brings, is also affecting the survival of many wildlife species. To avoid dangerous climate change, we need to significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

Carbon neutral 

Becoming carbon neutral means that the Council will reduce its emissions to as close to zero as possible by saving energy, swapping our fleet vehicles for greener alternatives and more. Any emissions that are too difficult or costly to reduce, for example alterations to listed and historic buildings not being allowed, will then be tackled by carbon offsetting. This could include capturing carbon from planting trees, installing renewable energy, or preventing the degradation of our green spaces so that they can capture more carbon/release less stored carbon. 

The Council is exploring potential options for offsetting, ensuring that any projects that are created are based locally. These projects could also have the potential to deliver additional benefits beyond carbon reductions, such as improved air quality, health and biodiversity.