Council cuts total annual greenhouse gas emissions by 39% since 2019-20

The Climate Emergency progress report 2023-24 and Carbon Emissions Inventory report 2023-2024 describe the council’s work to reduce its carbon footprint and emissions across the district.

 

Action on climate change is embedded in the council’s Corporate Plan, with a range of initiatives contributing to cuts in emissions from the council’s vehicles, offices and leisure centres over the period covered by the reports.

 

Measures taken include installing PV panels, an air source heat pump and insulation at the Market Hall and LED lighting at Harborough Innovation Centre.

 

The council is working with neighboring local authorities through the Green Living Leicestershire Partnership to help residents reduce their emissions through energy efficiency measures. 

 

Initiatives include the partnership’s Solar Together project which supports residents to install solar panels. The latest phase, which completed in 2024, led to 86 installations in Harborough district that will save approximately 68,000kg of carbon dioxide per year.

 

The council’s developing plans involve installing more solar PV panels on its buildings, including at Harborough Leisure Centre and a detailed assessment of the costs of retrofitting The Symington Building. 

 

More EV charging infrastructure is planned around the district, along with additional tree and wildflower planting to encourage the multiple benefits of cooling, biodiversity enhancement and storage for large rainfall events. 

 

The draft Local Plan, which is being consulted on until 6 May, puts forward policies that support reducing emissions and promoting resilience and adaptability in the district.

 

The council is also inviting applications to its Environmental Grant Scheme which supports community action on climate change. Grants ranging from £5,000 to £20,000 are on offer to not-for-profit organisations, for projects that demonstrate a clear benefit and a positive, proven impact on the environment. The deadline for new applications is 25 April.

 

Cllr Darren Woodiwiss, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Environmental and Climate Change, said: “We’re working hard to reduce our emissions and to support residents and businesses across Harborough district to do the same. 

 

“As these reports show, we are making good progress through initiatives that have made a real difference. There’s always more to be done and that’s why we have an action plan that will continue to move us towards our target of net zero by 2030. 

 

“While the continued reduction in domestic emissions is good news, transport and agriculture make up 66% of the district’s greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving reductions in those areas is a challenge and we will continue to work closely with businesses, as well as communities and residents, to ensure further reductions in emissions in the months and years ahead.” 

 

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is committed to reducing emissions to net zero by 2030, as far as practical. 

 

To read the council’s Climate Emergency progress report 2023-24 and Carbon Emissions Inventory report 2023-2024 report visit: https://www.harborough.gov.uk/downloads/20047/climate_emergency