Net Zero
Sponsored by
Calderdale MBC
A net zero landscape
Calderdale MBC declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 following devastating floods in the Calder Valley, recognising the threat and challenge that the climate crisis is to Calderdale. Targets were set to reach net zero emissions by 2038. Great progress has been made with the introduction of climate focussed projects including an in-house mass tree planting programme and the establishment of Sphagnum Moss nurseries. Working in partnership with many organisations and a team of dedicated volunteers has allowed us to make fantastic progress on our journey to achieving Net Zero. Our future plans
Durham CC
Horden minewater project
Durham County Council is working in partnership with community representatives, the East Durham Trust, the Coal Authority and East Durham Business Services, to explore the viability of and ways in which mine water heat can be used in Horden, County Durham. The mine water is already pumped to the surface by the coal authority, so the working group are keen to utilize this heat for community benefit.
Essex CC
Transforming Essex to a net zero county
Taking action on climate change remains a key priority for Essex County Council (ECC). Environment has been made central to the organisation’s Everyone’s Essex strategy. Since launching its £200 million Climate Action Plan in 2021, ECC has continued to make significant progress and developed pioneering solutions to address the global climate challenge. In July 2023, in response to the rise in energy costs, inflation and ongoing impact of the pandemic, ECC unveiled a revised £250 million Climate Action Plan to ensure that it continues to provide its residents and communities with the best service in a fast changing world.
Hammersmith & Fulham LBC
Embedding climate culture
Since declaring a climate and ecological emergency, H&F's approach has been to embed net-zero into everything we do. Our journey started with a mission to change culture, influence behaviour and consider the environmental impact of every decision. We added a new organisational value, 'Rising to the challenge of the climate and ecological emergency'. We include a climate implications assessment in all key council decisions, provide a toolkit to support commissioning and budget setting. We co-produced a leading Climate and Ecology Strategy with a residents' commission, developed a bespoke climate literacy course, and are now scaling implementation across the organisation.
Kent CC
Digital inclusion & capabilities (Digital Kent)
Hardware Access Scheme and Device Recycling Scheme projects created a circular economy: the value from items sold through the DRS is then used to support digital inclusion schemes and projects across Kent (including HAS).
The HAS scheme gifted nearly 4,000 remanufactured laptops from Kite-marked supplier to eligible residents. All devices that are donated through the device recycling scheme will attempt to be refurbished and wholesaled, ensuring they can live a second life, if possible. We helped redistribute 40% devices through recycling partner. If the items are beyond use, then suppliers safely, responsibly dispose of them keeping to a zero-landfill policy.
Lancaster City Council
People powered policy
The importance that planning can play in achieving net zero cannot be underestimated. Lancaster City Council’s (LCC’s) Climate Emergency Local Plan Review (CELPR) was the first of its kind in the country to partially review a Local Plan focusing purely on reassessing planning policies in terms of addressing climate adaption and mitigation. It’s road towards adoption has not been straightforward with central government’s inconsistency of interpretation of national guidance resulting in LCC having to be inventive in its engagement methods and applying a continued and persistent level of tenacity and determination not commonly seen in the plan making process.
South Tyneside Council
Viking Energy Network Jarrow
South Tyneside’s flagship renewable energy scheme, Viking Energy Network in Jarrow (VENJ), harnesses low-grade heat from the River Tyne and exports it to council-owned buildings. The innovative scheme, the first of its kind in the UK, was completed and went operational in October 2023, helping to cut carbon emissions by 1,035 tonnes a year. The VENJ scheme, which has since been followed by work to develop two other renewable energy schemes, has played a key role in the Council cutting its carbon emissions by 30% since its 2019 baseline, surpassing interim targets for achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Sutton LBC
Green enterprise partnership: delivering innovative green tax incentives for local businesses
Sutton's Green Enterprise Partnership, is the UK’s first initiative to use an innovative business rates scheme to attract small businesses, who are often reluctant to engage with net zero, to become greener and more sustainable.77 companies have signed up to the scheme, it is expected each business will reduce its carbon emissions by at least 5%. This would equate to a reduction of approximately 63 tonnes per year of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere. This innovative approach will help to provide a blueprint for other councils aiming to support their local business communities move towards net zero.
Tees Valley CA
Powering the UK's journey to net zero
Tees Valley, the second highest carbon emitting region in the country with a heavy industry cluster, is facing the challenge of decarbonisation while supporting economic development. Tees Valley Combined Authority is spearheading the region's bold Net Zero Strategy to reach Net Zero by 2050. To do this, it is pioneering innovative low carbon schemes at its own site and airport, providing support for businesses and has secured billions of pounds of private sector investment to develop world-first schemes. It is now leading the UK's efforts in a low-carbon but high economic growth tomorrow.
Westminster City Council
Waste and Cleansing Fleet Decarbonisation
The waste and recycling vehicles are powered by electricity generated from burning waste that would have been sent to landfills. This is a major success for the circular economy - Net Zero, as it shows that local authorities can operate zero-emission or net-zero recycling services without sacrificing efficiency. In addition, the vehicles' emissions-free operation helps to improve the health of residents and the environment, and it contributes to the UK's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.