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 2022/23 financial year saw a decrease in carbon emissions of 23.9%, or an overall reduction of 1817 tonnes of carbon compared to our baseline year of 2018/19. A significant contributor to this sharp reduction is due to reduced gas, electric and fuel oil consumption for the leisure centres through the return of the Deepings leisure centre to Lincolnshire County Council, as well as slightly reduced consumption at the Stamford, Bourne and Grantham facilities. This contributed towards a reduction in carbon emissions from the leisure centres alone of over 41%.
Carbon emissions associated with electricity use in Council buildings also dropped significantly, due to a reduction in electricity used during the year as well as the ongoing national decarbonisation of the grid. A reduction is also reported for gas used in Council buildings due to decreased overall consumption. The relocation of the Council main offices at the beginning of 2023 to a significantly smaller and electrically heated facility have contributed to a slight reduction in both gas and electricity consumption.
The carbon emissions from the operation of the Council's vehicle fleet remains stubbornly high, demonstrating little change since 2018/19. Reporting includes a breakdown of Council department the vehicle is used within, with waste management and street cleansing responsible for the majority of fuel consumption. Business travel associated with staff and councillor travel in own vehicles has seen a reduction on the previous year
While some important reductions of carbon emissions have been seen in select categories, the Council should continue to look for opportunities in the short and longer terms to ensure a downward trajectory towards our declared carbon reduction target.
Our Progress Last Year
Over 150 Council owned properties have received upgrades to low-carbon heating systems which will make homes warmer and reduce energy costs for tenants.
Fifty new trees were planted within Council managed open spaces in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping.
Major ecological improvements were implemented for 14 areas of North and South Kesteven in a major partnership project - as well as delivering and improving habitats in or near the river, the project connected communities and provided health benefits for residents.
