Reducing the Council's carbon emissions
The Council are working towards reducing our own carbon carbon footprint and District-wide carbon emissions. View our 2025-2030 Carbon Reduction Plan to see how and don't miss our project updates and top stories by signing up to our monthly email newsletter.
The Council has agreed targets to reduce its own emissions. These are:
- An aspiration for the Council’s direct emission to become net zero by 2030.
- The Council’s indirect emission to be net zero by 2050
What do these carbon reduction targets mean?
- The Council’s direct emissions are those that are within our control. For example they come from the electricity and gas used in our buildings and the fuel in our fleet vehicles. Reducing these within such a short time will be challenging which is why this is an aspirational target.
- The indirect emissions come from the buildings that the Council leases to other users, the goods and services that we buy, business travel, waste disposal and the water used in our buildings. Reducing these emissions involves influencing other organisations which is why the target date is longer. It matches the target for the whole UK. Many organisations do not set a target for these emissions as they are more difficult to deal with.
What does 'Net Zero' mean?
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and then ensuring that any ongoing emissions are balanced by removals.
An audit of Horsham District Council’s own carbon emissions
An essential part of the work on reducing our carbon emissions is to complete an annual carbon audit for the Council. The latest audit told us that:
In 2023/24 the Council emitted approximately 4,350 tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2e). These come from: -
- The fuel that is used to heat and power our buildings.
- The water used in our buildings.
- The petrol and diesel used to run our vehicles.
- The goods and services that the Council buys from external suppliers, for example, Places Leisure run the Council’s four leisure centres.
- The fuel and heat from the buildings that we lease.
- The waste we collect from residents and dispose of.
- The carbon emissions data will be reviewed and updated every year. This will allow us to see if we are making progress on reducing these emissions.
Our Progress So Far
Direct Council emissions
In 2023/24, we have decreased our direct Council emissions by 64% since our baseline report in 2019/20 (see graph below)
These direct emissions are those that are within our control. For example they come from the electricity and gas used in our buildings and the fuel in our fleet vehicles.
In 2023/24 our direct carbon emissions for our fleet was 17 tCO2e.
Actions
Past
- Using HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) for fleet vehicles
As an interim step we changed the fuel in our waste and recycling fleet to HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) in March 2021 which reduced carbon emissions for transport by over 90%. - Electrification of fleet vehicles
We have upgraded the vehicles reaching end of life to electric models since 22/23. - Added more electricity vehicles charging infrastructure
Installed 6 charge points at Hop Oast depot and 2 new charge points at The Forum. - Driver training
All refuse fleet drivers have received eco driver training. - Route optimisation for refuse vehicles
A review was completed in 2021, but it was found that it did not generate significant changes in emissions.
Current (2023/24)
- Upgrading 4 fleet vehicles to electric
Replacement vehicles being introduced for Parks & Countryside, Property and Parking Services. - Trialling new low-carbon technologies
Investigating innovative methods to reduce carbon emissions, for example trialling a battery pack for refuse vehicles. - Analysing business mileage
Using the Staff Travel Survey to explore opportunities to minimise carbon through work trips.
Future
- Electrifying vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes
A programme to identify where it is possible to electrify the 37 small vehicles that exist within the fleet. - Expanding electrical capacity at Hop Oast depot
Investigate additional charge points that are required for electrification of vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. - Annual reviews
Continuing to carry out annual reviews to identify any vehicles no longer required for operational purposes.
In 2023/24 our carbon emissions for electricity and gas from our operational buildings & lighting was 825 tCO2e.
Actions
Past
- Energy efficiency measures at Horsham Museum
Horsham Museum has been upgraded to a more efficient energy supply and a digitally controlled heating system. - External lighting replacement programme
Converting to LED across HDC’s surface and rural areas car parks throughout the District. - Multi-storey car park lighting replacement
We have replaced all the lights in our three multi-story car parks, Swan Walk, Piries Place and The Forum with LED lights and motion detectors to reduce energy use. - Energy efficiency measures at Cemetery Lodge
Installed an air source heat pump and added wall insulation at Cemetery Lodge. - Monitored energy use
We have continually analysed energy data to pinpoint potential cost and carbon savings.
Current (2023/24)
- Audits of properties
Completed audits of operational and leased buildings to phase plan decarbonisation that prioritises the least energy efficient buildings whilst considering cost and feasibility. - The Capitol stage lighting
LED stage lighting has been completed to save approximately 80% energy during shows. - Horsham Park lighting replacement
LED lighting improvements throughout the park. - Park Barn energy measures
Increasing energy efficiency through new double glazing windows and cladding repairs. This upgraded the EPC rating into a B.
Future
- Energy efficiency measures and removal of gas in operational buildings during 25/26
A decarbonisation programme that prioritises the least energy efficient properties first to save approximately 50 tonnes of carbon. Steps include: removing gas from Park House, Fiennes Court and Park Street. Insulation at Park Barn and mixture of small measures at Warnham Nature Reserve. - Management of properties
The office relocation from Parkside to Albery House will save approximately 120 tonnes of carbon. - Survey solar opportunities
Investigate any HDC buildings where solar installation may be feasible and cost effective, for instance at Hop Oast depot and Southwater Country Park. - Decarbonisation of the Capitol
Rescoping the energy measures to lower the carbon footprint when refurbishing the Capitol.
Actions
Communications
- Annual carbon reporting
Year-on-year reports are produced and published to measure carbon emission changes over time. This helps to demonstrate how the Council are leading as an organisation to reach net zero. - Promotion of HDC's carbon reduction action
Articles detailing carbon reduction measures are posted internally and externally to demonstrate good practice and inspire action. - Climate Action Blog
The Climate action Blog has been running since 2021 to share the latest Council and community news, as and when it happens. - Climate Action Newsletter
A regular e-newsletter was established in 2021 for District Councillors, Parishes and members of the public to stay informed. Sign up to receive this monthly Climate Action e-newsletter
Climate Training
- Becoming a Carbon Literacy organisation
HDC has set out to become silver certified by October 2026, which involves training 132 staff members. - E-modules for HDC staff
The completion of online climate modules is to become mandatory for all Staff.
Staff commuting
- Staff Travel Survey
Completed annually to evaluate existing travel incentives and identify any new potential options to reducing carbon emissions of staff commuting and business travel. - Commuting incentives for staff
On top of carbon savings due to making flexible working permanent, there are also offers to encourage staff to travel to work more sustainably. The Council has joined the easitNetwork which generates a multitude of staff benefits including 15% of Southern Rail, bus fare discounts, a car sharing platform and cycle to work support. There have also been bicycle maintenance workshop for staff. - Sustainable Business Travel
Business mileage is analysed annually to optimise operational efficiency. There is work ongoing to improve the methodology to measure carbon and investigation into the feasibility of introducing e-bikes for some work trips.
Carbon impact of projects
- Investigating and implement a carbon impact methodology
Researching and networking to integrate a method to more accurately assess the carbon costs/benefits of projects when completing cost benefit analysis.
How to get involved
Get some great tips and advice on reducing our carbon footprint and biodiversity loss, opportunities for working with your community to reduce local emissions, and maybe even cutting back on your bills too with the suggestions below.