Carbon Management Plan

Introduction

At North Northamptonshire Council, we take our responsibility of reducing emissions in the local area seriously, and we take care to ensure our impact on the environment is as little as possible. We understand that we have a direct responsibility to address climate change, and we know that each small change we make adds up. Everyone within the council is held accountable for helping to achieve carbon neutrality, from personal steps like how they travel to work, to wider actions that can be taken, such as factoring in carbon reduction into service planning and project development.

In taking action on climate change, we intend to guide the wider community on proactive steps they can also take, safeguarding our environment for future generations. The Government’s drive to reduce carbon emissions has led to increased regulations in areas such as planning policy, building regulations and energy performance standards. These regulations form a framework for the council to work within in order to identify the priority areas and means by which it will achieve the target of being Carbon Neutral by 2030.

Why carbon neutral

Carbon neutrality, as a term, is used frequently, but do you know what it means? Carbon neutrality refers to the practice of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for global warming to zero. In order to achieve this, the Council must reduce as much climate damaging carbon emissions as possible. However, no action is without carbon emissions, so it is crucial that any residual carbon emissions that cannot be removed are offset by absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere, for example through carbon capture and reforestation.

Becoming carbon neutral, sometimes referred to as ‘climate neutrality’, provides an opportunity for the planet to heal, and ensures we are protecting our future for the long term. But the effects of being carbon neutral can be felt close to home as well. Taking measures to operate as carbon neutral will result in wider environmental and economic benefits for our local area, such as reduced emissions locally, investment opportunities in our estate and local infrastructure, and reduced cost from renewable energy sources.

Carbon offsetting initiatives also ensure we have naturally beautiful spaces within North Northamptonshire for years to come.

Our plan is also available to download if you need it:

Last updated 02 August 2023