Council considers revising 2030 climate goal

01 September 2025

Councillors at North Northamptonshire Council will receive a report on revising the council’s carbon neutral targets.

Currently, the council’s carbon neutral goal is 2030 and it is proposed that the new target date is 2050 - this would bring North Northamptonshire Council in line with the national net zero target.

Options will be discussed by councillors with the preferred option being to remove the current 2030 target, move to a new target of 2050 and progress the council’s existing Carbon Management Plan where it makes sense to do so.

Items on the Carbon Management Plan would be moved forward if there is a clear business case which shows the activity is essential and provides cost or clear benefits, for example, energy efficiency measures such as LED lighting and improved insulation in council owned buildings and community facilities.

Since becoming Leader of North Northamptonshire Council, I have always wanted us to be a realistic council. This is about us knowing what can be achieved, reevaluating how we work going forwards and setting targets that can be delivered.

A lot of really positive work is being done across the council, and we fully intend to continue with this work - where it makes sense. With this in mind, we’re proposing to review the previous target of 2030 and aligning ourselves with the prevailing statutory target, which is currently of 2050.

We recognise this is an important decision which is why the report will be going through our Scrutiny committee, before Executive make a decision, considering all feedback from Scrutiny.

We could work towards the target set of 2030, but it would put a strain on our finances which would, in turn, impact many of our services used and benefitting residents across the whole of North Northamptonshire. Simply, to work towards 2030 - the financial investment would need to increase significantly and does not present good value.

Moving to a target of 2050 means we can set deliverable and realistic targets. It would give us more breathing space to deliver the Carbon Management Plan and achieve carbon neutrality at a pace and cost that is determined by operational need and underpinned by business cases, whilst continuing to deliver the vital services we provide.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council

The report will be discussed at two meetings:

• On 2 September by the Place and Environment Scrutiny, who will review the report and discuss the options
• On 9 September by North Northamptonshire Council, who will agree on the preferred option and next steps.