The new action plan is in response to figures which show that, although the council’s overall carbon emissions are going down, progress is not as fast as hoped. The council’s carbon emissions figure for 2023 was 2,436 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) which represents a 17% reduction in CO2e since 2019 when the net zero target was first set.
The reduction in 2023 was driven primarily by lower carbon emissions from leisure centres and the replacement of the council’s diesel vans with electric vehicles.
• The newly refurbished Hartham Leisure Centre recorded a drop of 92 tonnes in emissions from gas and electricity compared with the former building.
• At Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre, where the building size has more than doubled, emissions per m² have reduced by 22%.
• The council’s e-fleet, which came into operation in January 2023, is powered through the council’s non-carbon electricity tariff and contributed to a five tonne reduction in emissions up to the end of March 2023, with the annual effect thus expected to be a 20 tonne reduction.
The council is realistic about the challenges ahead, with renewed actions to reduce or avoid carbon emissions now turning to:
• Greater use of low emissions vehicles as part of the new waste management contract, which is jointly operated with North Herts Council and due to come into effect in 2025
• Working with the council’s grounds maintenance contractors to reduce their use of diesel-fuelled vehicles and equipment
• Exploring ways of reducing gas use in the council’s directly managed buildings
• Ensuring that, where possible, business journeys by council officers are made using the council’s fleet of e-cars rather than officers’ own fossil-fuelled cars
• Extending the use of green, non-carbon electricity tariffs to all council buildings
• Encouraging the council’s contractors to switch to non-carbon electricity tariffs.
In addition, the council is looking at ways to offset its remaining carbon emissions through initiatives such as additional tree planting in the district.
Councillor Tim Hoskin, East Herts Executive Member for Sustainability, said: “We are committed to driving down our emissions as much as possible by 2027 and are taking pragmatic and innovative actions to offset any remaining emissions to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. Our revised plan provides a route map which we are happy to share with residents so they can see what progress we are making. Transparency and open reporting are key priorities for our administration.”
