Update report details £5m saving on council's energy costs
A report detailing the progress made in the past six months on the council’s climate change action plan, is set to go to Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet on 7 January 2025. The report shows how the council is on track to reach or has completed 97% of its action points towards becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
The update details carbon emission reductions, energy saving measures, events and more and shows the wide breadth of work being undertaken to ensure the council remains on track to become carbon neutral by 20240.
Highlights include a 12-fold increase in solar panel output. This, along with other energy efficiency measures, has generated a saving of around £5m on energy bills over the last three years and helped towards a reduction in the council’s carbon footprint by more than 50% based on baseline figures.
More highlights of the past six months include the Eco Fair in June which attracted crowds of around 5,000 to enjoy eco family fun hands-on crafts, science demonstrations, and interactive theatre shows, while also exploring various eco-friendly products and services.
A climate change seminar for councillors was held on 19 September 2024. The seminar was attended by the Head of Local Energy from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Phil Brennan from the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE). Members also heard updates from representatives from highways, housing and building services.
The Highway Asset Management team reported a total reduction of over 348 tonnes in CO2 emissions during the reporting year 2023-24 (23% more than the last reporting year 2022-23). The team’s use of low carbon materials and adopting sustainable practices during their maintenance programme has resulted in carbon savings as well as financial savings.
Housing Services is bidding for Wave 3 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, through the Tees Valley Combined Authority. If successful, the Wave 3 bid will see a further 1600 council homes enjoying better energy efficiency with an energy performance of at least C by 2028. Providing tenants with warmer homes that are more comfortable and cheaper to heat.
In December, the council submitted a report to Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of a trial project for local authorities to report to the Secretary of State under the Climate Change Act’s Adaptation Reporting Power.
Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy, said:
“According to the World Health Organisation, climate change is the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century. This report is a progress update of our journey to becoming a carbon neutral council. Our work cuts across many different areas and our climate change strategy must mirror this.
“In the past six months I have met with all of the council’s senior managers to discuss our work and our targets around carbon neutral. I am pleased to say that we are making progress across the vast majority of our action points and are always looking at new and innovative ways to further our journey to carbon neutral by 2040.”
This work will contribute to the council’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2040. This pledge covers all service areas, and the council aims to encourage residents and businesses to join it on the journey towards a more sustainable future. More details are on our climate change pages.