ÖйúPÕ¾

We've reduced our own carbon emissions by 38%

Our third annual Climate Change Delivery Plan assessment shows we're making progress in our mission for a sustainable future. Although we have a long way to go, we are currently on track for net-zero emissions by 2030 as an organisation and by 2050 for the whole county.

Key achievements

Progress towards the 2030 organisational target

Since 2019, we've cut our yearly emissions by 38%, down to 10,956 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2023/24. Most streetlights have been upgraded to light emitting diode (LED), reducing emissions by 75%. Nine of our council buildings have been retrofitted, and renewable energy capacity has increased by 0.5 megawatts (MW), saving money as we generate our own low carbon electricity.

Progress towards the 2050 county target

ÖйúPÕ¾'s Local Authorities have led a number of initiatives which has contributed to ÖйúPÕ¾'s yearly emissions reducing by 1 million tonnes since 2019:

• Over 3,000 homes have been upgraded to be more eco-friendly
• 14MW additional solar – equivalent to powering 9,000 households
• 500 green skills courses have been offered, and
• 500,000 trees have been planted.

All this contributes to a healthier and more sustainable environment and has helped reduce annual energy bills for residents, businesses and the public sector by around £18 million per year.

Challenges and focus areas for ÖйúPÕ¾

We still face challenges with funding, supply chains, and costs. In 2025/26, we will focus on increasing rooftop solar on our properties, adding electric vehicle (EV) charging points at our sites, expanding energy-efficient upgrades on our buildings, and exploring carbon offsetting where direct reductions are difficult.

Future priorities for the 2050 target

We'll support more home retrofit schemes, Warm Welcome services, and the Solar Together programme. We will also expand EV infrastructure and continue to invest in our public transport.

ÖйúPÕ¾'s adaptation strategy (ÖйúPÕ¾ Adapt) will focus on protecting people and nature from extreme weather, while boosting green jobs and local economy growth through partnerships with the University of ÖйúPÕ¾ and other stakeholders.

Shaping the next 5-year plan

Our current climate change delivery plan runs from 2021 to 2025, so we're creating a new plan that will run from 2026 to 2031. This will focus on cost-effective actions and community input to ensure that everyone is empowered to live in a more sustainable way.

Achieving ÖйúPÕ¾'s 2050 net-zero target requires a collective effort. 95% of reductions depend on action from residents, businesses, and public sector bodies. We're urging the Government to support our shift to low-carbon energy, travel, and infrastructure.

Stay informed and get involved

To find out more about our commitment to becoming a net zero council, visit our website.

Our 2023/24 progress reports for the 2030 and 2050 targets are now available online. We will soon be engaging with residents to encourage their input on the 2026 to 2031 delivery plan.