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Reduction in carbon emissions revealed in climate report

Published
In its fifth annual report, Gloucestershire County Council showcases the good progress it has made in reducing its carbon emissions, reaffirming its commitment to tackling climate change.

The report outlines the progress made by the county council, including reducing its carbon footprint and expanding a number of community initiatives.  

Work celebrated in the report includes:  

  • The county council purchases only green electricity in addition to decarbonising its estate. This year cabinet approved £1 million to spent on solar panels to be installed across the county council's estate. 

  • Progress has been made on the ambitious 26-mile cycle spine with the route between Cheltenham and Gloucester being expanded and work to extend the cycle spine up to Bishops Cleeve programmed for the coming year, helping residents to make low carbon travel choices with better cycling infrastructure. 

  • Over 100,000 trees have been planted across 250 projects in the last year bringing the total to 398,094 since planting began in 2020. Alongside a countywide maintenance programme, the county council is on target to plant a million trees by 2030. 

  • Grants totalling £50,000 have been awarded to support local decarbonisation projects to foster a healthier environment and enhance community resilience. 

  • The Growth Hub Net Zero programme is empowering businesses in the county to adopt sustainable practices. The county council is using insights from this initiative to help adapt its own emissions reduction strategy for suppliers and supply chains.  

The county council is committed to achieving an 80 per cent reduction in its corporate carbon emissions no later than 2030, striving towards 100 percent with carbon offsetting by the same date. Across Gloucestershire, they aim to have a net zero county by 2045 that provides quality of life for current and future generations.  

Cllr David Gray, Cabinet member responsible for the environment at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am delighted with the progress we continue to make in tackling climate change. 

“We remain on target to achieve our aim of making Gloucestershire a net-zero county by 2045 and have made significant progress in reducing the council’s own carbon footprint.  

“Residents and businesses across the county play a huge role in helping to tackle climate change. Everyone can play a part in this effort, including by making small changes to our lifestyles, such as walking or cycling rather than using a car for local journeys, or opting to buy locally produced seasonal food generating fewer food miles. The county council will continue to work with our communities to focus on how we can further reduce emissions.”