2020 Carbon Footprint

The target of reaching net zero emissions by 2030 is challenging, but the Council has already shown that it can act decisively and effectively to reduce carbon emissions.

As a council we have been reducing our carbon emissions for many years through our Carbon Management Plan and are building on a solid record of success. However, there is much more that the Council must do to be carbon neutral.

A new carbon emissions baseline, or carbon footprint, has been calculated for the Council’s operations, showing the level of carbon emissions we have to reduce by 2030.

Where are we now?

Because the Council uses 100% renewable electricity in its buildings there were 1,468 tonnes CO2 emissions in 2020. If it didn't use renewable energy in 2020, the Council would have produced 2,056 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Emissions breakdown

In 2020 the Council’s carbon emission can be broken down into the following areas:

• Waste – 6 tonnes (0.4%)
• Water – 16 tonnes (1.1%)
• Building – 298 tonnes (20.3%)
• Transport – 1,149 tonnes (78.3%)

There are different scopes of how the Council's carbon emissions are measured.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol establishes a comprehensive global standardized framework to measure greenhouse gas emissions. In keeping with the globally recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol, we have broken down carbon emissions into Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions.  

Understanding different scopes

Scope 1 emissions are those created within buildings owned and occupied by the Council, such as the Southfields offices, and fleet vehicles owned and used by the Council.

The 298 tonnes of carbon from our buildings and 123 tonnes from transport are included in this scope.

Scope 2 emissions includes any emissions created on the Council’s behalf. For example, through the purchase of electricity generated from gas-fired power stations.

Scope 2 emissions are zero because we purchase 100% renewable electricity.

Scope 3 emissions covers the other emissions that are the consequence of actions of the Council which are not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 – this includes outsourced services, employee commuting, and the use of employees’ personal cars for Council activity.

All of the carbon emissions from waste and water fall into this category along with 1,026 tonnes from transport.

Net carbon baseline

The emissions the Council generate are compensated for by the carbon which is capture from the atmosphere through trees and plants the Council own in Charnwood. These absorb and store 338 tonnes of CO2.

Therefore, the net carbon baseline of CO2 emissions for the Council is 1,130.

The same information as above can be found in this inforgraphic: Charnwood Borough Council Carbon Baseline (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb)