Carbon Management Plan
Contents
Leisure
Within North Northamptonshire, we are fortunate with the range and number of leisure facilities at our disposal, however they represent a large proportion of the council’s carbon footprint and will be a priority for the council. North Northamptonshire Council manages a total of 17 leisure facilities, with some managed in house and some via contractors. These sites are often over 20 years old, and so are not running in an efficient manner. Our aim, as set out in our corporate plan, is always to create modern and useful spaces for the community, and leisure centres are no different.
Leisure centres have a unique carbon footprint when compared to other council properties, especially those with swimming pools. Pools take a lot of energy to run, and with long opening hours, the cost of energy for facilities like this is intense. The current economic climate means local authorities are spending more and more to keep such facilities open.
Our Carbon Management Plan will focus on identifying those high energy sites as a priority and undertake a variety of energy audits in order to recognise energy saving opportunities. By making innovative changes to the way these buildings are operated ensures we reduce our carbon footprint.
Making changes to these leisure facilities will support the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 for North Northamptonshire Council. Ensuring daily operation is run in a way that is efficient, and optimal, is key to creating a positive change. The plan and equipment must be checked regularly to ensure this and understanding the energy consumption seen will result in more action to be taken. New systems could be put in place to also support this, such as heat pumps, solar energy sources, LED lighting, and much more.
Making the most of the opportunities this sector presents is key to decreasing our carbon emissions for the future and creating prosperous communities within the county.
Last updated 03 January 2023