Our Carbon Reduction Targets
We plan to reduce our carbon emissions from Council operations by at least 30% by 2030. Our Climate Action Strategy includes a three-part framework for this: short term (2023-2025), medium term (2025-2030) and longer term (2030 and further).
Each year South Kesteven District Council publishes a dashboard showing our carbon emissions for that 12 month period, which includes the use of gas and electricity, emissions from the vehicle fleet and operation of our Leisure Centres.
The 2023/24 financial year saw a decrease in carbon emissions of 25.27%, or an overall reduction of 1920 tonnes of carbon compared to the 2018/19 baseline.
A significant reduction of over 45% from the baseline has been seen in the carbon emissions associated with electricity use in the Council's buildings. This can be attributed to both a reduction in total kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy consumed, as well as the national supply of electricity continuing to decarbonise as more renewable sources of energy contribute. The Council has a current contract for green electricity. This means that the electricity the Council receives is generated by either wind, wave or solar generation sources.
A reduction is also reported for gas used in Council buildings. Over the past year alone, the amount of carbon associated with gas consumption decreased by 85 tonnes since 2022/23, factoring an 8.84% reduction from the 2018/19 baseline.
Whilst the collective gas and electric consumption of the leisure centres has risen slightly since the last reporting year, marginal fluctuations are to be expected due to the operational nature of the facilities.
The carbon emissions from the operation of the Council's vehicle fleet remains consistently high, showing little change from the 2018/19 baseline. The fleet is now the largest contributor to the Council’s carbon emissions, responsible for 34% of emitted carbon during the 2023/24 financial year.
Business travel associated with staff and councillor movement in own vehicles has seen a significant reduction on the previous reporting year as more meetings and conferences are now held online.
Whilst some important reductions in carbon emissions have been seen in select categories, the Council should continue to look for further decarbonisation opportunities to ensure a downward trajectory towards the declared carbon reduction target of at least 30% by 2030.
With a further 4.73% reduction required to reach the Council’s 2030 emissions target, upcoming decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects will contribute to significant carbon savings for the Council.
Our Progress Last Year
Over 150 Council owned properties have received upgrades to low-carbon heating systems which will make homes warmer and reduce energy costs for tenants.
Fifty new trees were planted within Council managed open spaces in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping.
Major ecological improvements were implemented for 14 areas of North and South Kesteven in a major partnership project - as well as delivering and improving habitats in or near the river, the project connected communities and provided health benefits for residents.
