Net Zero Carbon Roadmap
We want everyone in North East Lincolnshire to benefit from a green economy and high-quality environment.
We care about the future of North East Lincolnshire, that’s why we’re committed to cutting our organisation’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2030. We will also support North East Lincolnshire to hit the target of carbon net zero by 2050.
It’s impossible to reduce our carbon emissions completely. Net zero means we will reduce our emissions as much as possible. Any remaining carbon emissions will be offset by investing in programmes that increase carbon storage, such as planting more trees or artificial solutions.
How will we do this?
In October 2019, we declared a climate emergency and in 2016 we signed up to Climate Local. Since then, we worked with our former partner EQUANS to plan what we need to do to reduce our carbon emissions. Our Net Zero Carbon Roadmap explains how we will achieve our targets and mitigate the impact of climate change. We adopted the roadmap and set our net zero targets in December 2021.
Our Net Zero Carbon Roadmap sets out six workstreams we must complete to reach net zero by 2030:
Our roadmap also sets out a further six workstreams we will follow, to help North East Lincolnshire reach carbon net zero:
Each person in North East Lincolnshire can also contribute. The more people that work together the more successful we will all be and there will be benefits for everyone.
What have we done so far?
Buildings and energy
- Since April 2020, 100% of our electricity has been purchased from a renewable source. Our present, purchasing arrangements are through an electricity procurement framework and gas utility framework. This allows us to consider low carbon fuel alternatives and identify opportunities to reduce our energy unit cost.
- We know local businesses are keen for more advice in the future and for funding opportunities and we are exploring a community energy approach.
- Our Smart Energy Greater Lincolnshire (SEGL) project saw over 260 businesses and public building owners supported to implement energy saving advice and measures. A total of 2,500 businesses undertook some engagement with the issues, saving 3678 tonnes of carbon emissions. This project ran between 2019 and 2021
- We are continuing to install energy conservation and decarbonisation measures across our estate, supported by Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) funding. As part of a pilot project to reduce the Council’s energy bills and carbon emissions, we installed photovoltaic (PV) solar panels at six sites across the borough. This has now increased to eleven sites.
- The council is providing a £42 million project to deliver major infrastructure investments, industrial sites, and employment creation through the South Humber Industrial Investment Programme (SHIIP). As part of this, we have developed two nationally recognised ecological mitigation sites at Cress Marsh and Novartis.
- Since September 2017, we have been upgrading our street lighting to Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs, with 94% being LED and trials taking place for solar LED lighting in rural areas and along bus routes.
- The rationalisation of our central depot has been completed, incorporating energy saving and environmentally friendly features including Electric Vehicle (EV) chargepoints to accommodate our growing electric fleet and expanded secure bike storage and welfare facilities for staff cycling to work.
- The procurement strategy has been updated to reflect changes in legislation and to include consideration of environmental impact.
- Continue to work with CATCH and other business supports such as E-Factor to develop the offer to businesses.
- We are continuing to provide support to the Freeport.
Transport and travel
- We provide support for businesses, schools, and community organisations to develop travel plans that consider sustainable and active travel options and deliver behavioural change initiatives and events that support walking, cycling and public transport.
- Real time bus and at stop information supports and enables public transport use, and we have invested in raised kerb bus stops, modern bus shelters and waiting facilities and bus priority measures.
- In July 2017, the Council working in partnership with our former regeneration partner EQUANS, and other partners and providers, hosted the borough’s first low-carbon transport themed event – Transport 2050.
- We have been successfully awarded a Total Transport Grant from the Department for Transport to undertake an investigative study to improve transport integration in the area.
- We have 33 fully electric vehicles (EV) across our fleet.
- We are working to expand our provision of EV chargepoints for public access (either at our sites or at others that are privately owned by businesses or investment by businesses on our land) and are delivering new high-quality cycle route infrastructure to support and facilitate safe and convenient cycle access and to encourage sustainable travel. This is supported by free bike safety events within the community providing access to a minor repairs service and checks.
- Ensure updates to the Local Transport Plan are fully aligned to this Carbon Roadmap.
- Alleviate fears around road safety in relation to active travel.
Climate conscious behaviour
- Since 2019, climate impact has been documented as part of all key decisions. Our social value toolkit encourages the consideration of a range of issues that could have positive local impacts.
- We have also signed up to several national schemes promoting sustainable travel such as bike to work scheme and reduced tax rates for electric car leasing.
- We have promoted the Switch Together scheme (formerly Big Community Switch), offering competitive fuel deals through large-scale purchasing.
- Increase promotion and information of climate impacts and green behaviours, forming part of regular staff communications (a carbon literacy programme).
- Review staff benefit schemes and benchmark against other public sector employers, to ensure we have implemented the greenest possible options available under government guidance.
- Use opportunities in different services and in schools and community groups to start conversations about climate change and what we each can do to make a difference, by harnessing knowledge and collective intelligence.
- Work with the housing developer’s forum to understand and appreciate some of the environmental issues relating to construction.