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 2024/25 financial year saw a decrease in carbon emissions of 29.24%, or an overall reduction of 2222 tonnes of carbon compared to the 2018/19 baseline.
A significant reduction of over 55% from the baseline has been seen in the carbon emissions associated with electricity use in the Council's buildings. This can be attributed to a reduction in total kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy consumed across all Council occupied assets, as well as the continued decarbonisation of the electricity grid at a national level, thanks to increased contribution from renewable electricity generation. 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 76 tonnes since 2023/24, factoring a total 15.43% reduction from the 2018/19 baseline.
The collective emissions associated with the gas and electric consumption of the leisure centres has decreased by 199 tonnes since the last reporting year, a decrease of 46.75% from the baseline.
The Council can confirm that there has been an uplift in refrigerant-related carbon emissions by 78 tonnes for 2024/25, largely due to escaped f-gas from equipment at the Grantham Meres Leisure Centre. Overall, this represents an increase of 3806.50% since the baseline and places the contribution of refrigerants at 1% of the Council’s total emissions for 2024/25. The responsible poolside Air Handling Units are already set to be replaced under the wider Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, with one already removed.
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 36% of emitted carbon during the 2024/25 financial year.
Business travel associated with staff and councillor movement in personal vehicles has seen a significant decrease of 35.80% since the baseline as more meetings and conferences are now held online. As part of the Green Fleet Strategy staff travel within own vehicles will be reviewed in further detail to understand where reductions in travel or use of SKDC vehicles can be used to travel to complete duties.
Whilst some important reductions in carbon emissions have been seen in select categories, the Council continues to look for further decarbonisation opportunities to ensure a downward trajectory in emissions towards the declared carbon reduction target of at least 30% by 2030. Several upcoming decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects will contribute to significant projected carbon savings for the Council.
Our Progress Last Year
Over 360 Council owned properties have been upgraded with energy efficiency measures under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Programme. These include upgrades such as the installation of solar PV arrays, cavity wall extractions and re-fills, loft insulation upgrades and ventilation measures. By targeting the lowest performing properties, the energy and carbon savings from upgrades will be significant and help to make homes warmer whilst reducing energy costs for tenants.
Sixty-eight new trees were planted within Council managed open spaces across the district in winter 2024/25. These trees are being supported through the summer with a regular watering regime to help ensure they become well established and thrive in their new settings.
The Council opened a new facility in Wyndham Park, Grantham, to establish an expansive wildflower meadow which also serves as a secure area for friendly dogs to socialise and exercise off-lead. The Wyndham Park Biodiversity Dog Paddock covers a 4,000 sqm site and combines a multi-user, dog-friendly enclosed space with native tree and wildflower planting to support pollinators and boost local wildlife. The project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund under the Council's Make Space for Nature scheme, is part of South Kesteven District Council's initiative to create more nature-friendly open spaces and enhance biodiversity. The paddock is free to access for all users.
