Our carbon neutral journey
We have committed to becoming a carbon-neutral council by 2030 as outlined in our Carbon Management Plan.
As an organisation we believe that climate change and looking after the environment must be the ‘green thread’ running through our mission.
Becoming carbon neutral means that the council will take out as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as we put into it. This is also known as 'Net Zero Carbon'.
Carbon neutrality is based on the aim that the sum of all the greenhouse gases put into and taken from the atmosphere will balance out to zero.
Carbon Management Plan
Our Carbon Management Plan is the first step and sets out how we will achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, by establishing its baseline carbon emissions and identifying key areas of focus to ensure the targets are met.
Yearly updates
Our annual report provides an overview of progress made in delivering the Carbon Management Plan after its first year (covering December 2022 to December 2023) including recommended changes and new activities.
The report also provides an update on our carbon footprint.
Investors in the Environment
We joined Investors in the Environment in September 2022 as an Enterprise member - they provide criteria and a framework to help us:
- reduce our impact on the environment
- save money and time
- promote our green credentials
We were awarded Bronze accreditation after being audited in July 2024 and are continuing efforts and making progress towards Silver accreditation.
Fleet
All of our winter gritting fleet is using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) instead of diesel
Introduction of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) to our bunkered fuel supply (which is currently diesel) - the project is expected to be completed in the next three years and will result in a carbon savings of 1606.97 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent. The switch is already completed at the Wellingborough depot
Carbon storage
20 urban parks identified in Wellingborough suitable for a variety of living things for capturing and storing carbon
Biodiversity
Over 20,000 trees planted across North Northamptonshire and over 59,000 square meters of habitat area improvements for pollinators
Procurement and supply chains
Carbon reduction and sustainability questions added to procurement process for contracts of £100K or more
Energy
Energy consumption of IT equipment has been reduced by 69,800 kWh - a carbon savings of 27.18 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
Carbon sequestration and biodiversity
We have identified 15 council owned properties or pieces of land where we can plant trees or enhance biodiversity
Fleet
18% of our newly ordered fleet is electric, including 1 electric refuse collection lorry working out of the Wellingborough depot
Travel
202 on-street EV chargers installed across North Northamptonshire and 18 EV chargers installed in council-owned car parks
Our Voi e-scooter trial has saved 925,000 car journeys or 337 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent
Highways
Street lighting update underway to replace halogen lights with LED - resulting in a 75% energy savings
Over 11,000 streetlight units have been upgraded to LED across North Northamptonshire, resulting in a carbon savings of 145.63 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent - that’s over 17 million smartphone charges!
Behaviour
We have launched a Climate Change Impact Assessment (CCIA) tool to inform our decision-making
If you’d like more information about our carbon neutral journey, please email us at [email protected].
Last updated 13 January 2025