Progress updates on becoming a carbon neutral council

We estimate that our emissions from transport and our fleet amounted to 132 tCO₂e in 2021/22.

Actions

Past

• Route optimisation for refuse vehicles
  A review was completed in 2021 but it was found that it did not generate significant changes in emissions.
• Trial electric refuse vehicle
  Several trials are currently taking place.
• Charge points at Hop Oast required for electric vehicles 
  A consultant report has been received reviewing the electrification of the fleet & the infrastructure required at the Depot. More work is required once the decision on replacement refuse vehicles has been agreed.
• Driver training
  All refuse fleet drivers receive eco driver training.

Current  (2021/22)

• 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 of over 90%.

Future

• Fleet cars/vans end of life replacement with low emission vehicles
  This is being investigated together with a proposed three year replacement programme.

In 2021/22 our carbon emissions for electricity and gas from our operational buildings & lighting was 1,258.2 tCO₂e 

Actions 

Past

• Horsham Museum has been upgraded to a more efficient energy supply and a digitally controlled heating system
• Audits have been completed on our residential houses and flats to identify costed measures that will make them more energy efficient and identify where we could install renewable technology.
• Audits have also been completed on our non-residential council buildings to find energy saving measures. Buildings audited include:

• Warnham Nature Reserve
• Chesworth Farm depot
• Park Barn
• Southwater Country Park
• Chesworth Visitor Centre

• Measures for these residential and non-residential properties include insulation, air, water or ground source heat pumps (ASHP, WSHP, GSHP), photovoltaics (PV) and LED lighting
• The Capitol was also audited, and potential energy saving measures were identified, which included roof insulation, draught lobbies, 2 ASHPs, PV, ventilation with heat recovery and LED stage lighting

Current – 2021/22 

• 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.
• We also replaced the lighting on 2 of our surface car parks, and Horsham Park to be LED
• We are analysing the energy use in our residential properties to find cost saving measures

Future 

• We are replacing a further 13 car parks in 22/23 with LED lighting
• We are moving forward with a range of the energy savings measures mentioned above for our residential and non-residential buildings. Progress will be updated.

We estimate that we will need to offset approximately 400 tCO₂e through our Parks & Countryside sites to help meet our 2030 target of net zero emissions.

Actions

• Tree management
  A draft consultant report on developing a tree management plan to determine opportunities for new planting, and dealing with issues such as Ash Dieback, was commissioned. The plan will link to offsetting with an agreed approach to new tree planting.  It is currently (2022) awaiting final approval before publication.
• Offsetting
  We will be working with a consultant in 2022 to produce an offsetting strategy and develop a methodology for the Council to offset to offset emissions to help achieve the carbon neutral target. This links to the work on creating a Nature Recovery Network.
• Land Use Map
  We are reviewing and mapping the Council’s land use to pull together a strategy to increase the take up of, and storage of, carbon emissions using nature sources. A map showing the offsetting opportunities has been produced which will be used to identify opportunities for restored/new habitats that will also sequester carbon.

Planting trees, restoring heathlands and wetland, as well as improving soils, all lock in carbon. This is one form of ‘carbon sequestration’ and a way to offset the carbon emitted by Council activities.

• Biodiversity
  We have increased the biodiversity of our parks and green space areas and now manage several designated Local Wildlife Sites. Chesworth Farm was classified as a Local Wildlife Site in 2021.

We are looking at all our contracts with external companies, such those for our leisure centres and grounds maintenance, to consider environmental standards that all providers should adhere to.

Actions

Procurement (scope 3): We estimate that 1187.2 tCO₂e was emitted in 2021/22

• A new Sustainable Procurement Charter to drive down carbon emissions in the supply chain was approved by Cabinet in July 2021. This will reinforce that any contracts we agree will incorporate actions to reduce carbon emissions - for example our Grounds Maintenance contract. Large contracts will be required to provide an annual report on their carbon reduction work.
• We will produce a template and guidance for suppliers on collating energy data for the council. We currently use a proxy indicator to measure carbon emissions from the supply chain but more accurate data is needed. NB: many large companies have to report their carbon data to Government.   This will be used as the basis for obtaining this information from suppliers.

Actions

• Communications
• The Council's climate pages are constantly updated and under regular review.
• A new Climate Action Blog was set up in 2021 to share the latest Council and community news, as and when it happens.
• A regular e-newsletter was established in 2021 for District councillors, parishes, and public subscribers. Sign up to receive this monthly Climate Action e-newsletter.
• Local activities and news updates are promoted as part of the national climate action weeks such as the Great Big Green Week and during COP26/27.
• Workshops have been taking place with parishes across the District in 2022 to look at how we can work together to help reduce emissions.
• Training
  Online carbon literacy /energy reduction training is now available which all Council staff are encouraged to complete. Training is also planned for Horsham District councillors.
• Green Commuting staff incentives
  We are developing green commuting offers for staff to travel in a more environmentally friendly way. Mileage is already reduced due to hybrid working, with an estimated saving of 150 tCO₂e with 50:50 working.
• Sustainable Business Travel
  An analysis of business travel by Council staff is currently being undertaken (early 2022). We have already seen a 50% reduction during 20/21, though this will have been influenced by reduced meetings and travel during the Covid-19 pandemic.