Council approves new carbon reduction plan to combat climate change

At a Cabinet meeting of Horsham District Council on 20 November, a new Carbon Reduction Plan for 2024 to 2030 was approved by senior councillors.

The proposed new plan details new actions to support the Council to achieve its carbon net zero target by 2030.

The Council has two targets to become net zero:

• Direct emissions (from fuel and electricity used in its buildings and from its fleet vehicles)
• Indirect emissions (from procured goods and services, leased buildings, water usage and waste associated with its operational buildings).

There have been two Carbon Reduction Plans since the baseline start year of 2019, the actions from which have resulted in a 49% reduction in overall total emissions.

Direct emissions from the Council have been reduced by 64% as a result of the introduction of a range of measures, including use of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil in fleet diesel vehicles, the electrification of smaller vehicles, an LED light replacement programme implemented across car parks and various energy efficient measures being installed in properties.

Commenting on the new Carbon Reduction Plan, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery Cllr Colette Blackburn said:

I am really pleased that we have a new plan in place. It is a key milestone in sealing our commitment to be carbon net zero by 2030.

The new plan provides a clear pathway to achieving climate change targets for Horsham District Council. It includes actions such as making Council buildings more energy efficient by changing their heating systems, as well as reducing emissions through climate change focused building and vehicle management.

The actions that are set out for the next five years will go a long way to helping us achieve our emissions goals, and thereby successfully demonstrate the Council's commitment to adjusting to climate change.

We believe this plan will enable us to meet our targets and help to make Horsham District a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable place for all.