The Cabinet has decided to approve recommendations for a revised net zero target of 2039 for the Council's decarbonisation plan.

URL: https://democracy.westsuffolk.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=938

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Cabinet will be asked to consider the recommendations from the West Suffolk Environment and Sustainability Reference Group on a review of the Council’s existing Net Zero target and plan for decarbonising the Council’s own activities.  

Content: The Cabinet will be asked to consider the recommendations from the West Suffolk Environment and Sustainability Reference Group on a review of the Council’s existing Net Zero target and plan for decarbonising the Council’s own activities.   Resolved:   That: 1.           The Council’s internal net zero plan is only one part of its overall approach to tackling the Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency in the wider West Suffolk community and economy, be noted; and in that context   2.           The Council’s own carbon consumption currently stands at just below 5,000 tonnes of carbon each year and that, despite increases in the Council’s operational activities (for instance providing waste collection services to a growing number of domestic properties), this is 13 per cent lower in absolute terms than in 2019 when the Council first declared a climate emergency, be noted.   3.           The Council’s activities to reduce the carbon consumed by third parties (off-site renewable energy investments, grant schemes, recycling rates, etc.) already prevent at least 7,000 tonnes of carbon a year from entering the atmosphere. Meaning the Council already saves more carbon indirectly than it emits directly, be recognised.   4.           As set out in paragraph 4 of Appendix A to Report number CAB/WS/25/019, the emissions the Council reports on will increase if it widens its reporting scope to include the total emissions resulting from the energy it is responsible for procuring for partners in the Mildenhall Hub. This change will ensure a consistent reporting methodology across all sites based on the Council’s energy procurement responsibilities. The change will also help to ensure that the Council is able to claim grant funding for energy efficiency improvements, while also being able to report on the positive impacts of such works, be noted.   5.           The Council has already secured and/or provided funding to remove a further one thousand tonnes of its own carbon emissions (20 per cent of the balance) before 2029, and plant 5,000 new trees, be noted.   6.             The increase in the market cost of technologies as set out in paragraph 2.19 and Appendix A of this report and approve additional funding in the sum of up to £250,000 for the installation of solar canopies at the Mildenhall Hub carpark from the Council’s existing Net Zero Fund, which will generate an estimated 553,050kWh and save around £152,000 and 125tCO2 per annum as detailed in report number CAB/WS/24/051, be noted.   7.           1,540 tonnes of the Council’s remaining carbon emissions (30 per cent) is from grid electricity and that the government’s Clean Power Action Plan aims to decarbonise Great Britain’s electricity supply by 2030. Meaning it is likely that the Council’s emissions from electricity consumption will naturally reduce as the National Grid gets less carbon intensive, be noted.   8.           It be recognised that the Council’s original stretch target to achieve net zero by 2030 has resulted in significant progress being made but, for reasons outside of the Council’s control and its available budgets, this is not likely to be achievable; and therefore   9.           The Council’s first costed route map, contained in Appendix A of Report number CAB/WS/25/019, as a tool to inform future decision-making by this authority and any successor unitary council(s) on achieving net zero for the current carbon emissions of West Suffolk Council as quickly as possible, be approved.   10.        This new route map, and a revised net zero target of 2039, as the basis for monitoring the Council’s future progress in carbon reduction, be adopted.   11.        A communications plan be developed so that the Council’s updated route to net zero is communicated internally and externally on the basis explained in this report and specifically highlights the Council’s other carbon-reduction and biodiversity contributions.

Date of Decision: May 20, 2025