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Saturday, February 8, 2025

Newark: Council publishes Climate Emergency Update

Newark & Sherwood District Council (NSDC) has released its latest annual update on its Climate Emergency Strategy, providing insight into the progress and challenges of their initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.

 

The report, to be presented to the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee on 28th October 2024, reflects the Council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and tackling climate change through a broad range of projects and collaborations.

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The district declared a climate emergency in July 2019, following a similar declaration by the UK Government with a net-zero target by 2050. NSDC took significant strides soon after, appointing the Carbon Trust to help formulate a comprehensive Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan. The council aimed to set an ambitious target to be carbon net neutral by 2035, focusing on reducing emissions from fuel consumption, electricity use, and waste.

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Following approval in 2020, the council’s current carbon reduction target stands at 2,165 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), encompassing emissions from various sources, including gas, fuel, electricity, waste, and water. The council has also rolled out the ‘Greening Newark & Sherwood Action Plan’ to bring this vision to life, committing to yearly updates on progress and ongoing challenges.

 

The Council has been undertaking several key initiatives grouped into three categories: influencing behaviour among residents and businesses, reducing its own carbon footprint, and tackling the broader district’s emissions. Among these initiatives, the ‘Green Rewards App’ stands out as an innovative approach to incentivising eco-friendly behaviour among residents. Launched in February 2022, the app allows residents to log activities such as sustainable commuting or recycling, rewarding them with points. To date, 608 residents have joined the app, resulting in a reported 73 tonnes of carbon avoided, surpassing expected annual savings from key council facilities.

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To enhance awareness and expertise within the council, climate awareness training has also been delivered to key personnel. This training has been provided to 12 councillors and 50 officers, equipping them with the necessary skills to promote and implement climate action effectively. Workshops aimed at local businesses have also been launched through the Net Zero Accelerator project, which is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. As of now, 80 businesses have enrolled, and 12 have completed bespoke decarbonisation plans.

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NSDC has made considerable progress in reducing its infrastructure’s carbon emissions. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed on a number of council-owned properties, including Newark Sports & Fitness Centre, the Beacon, and Dukeries Leisure Centre, funded with an allocated budget of £685,250. The solar PV installations are expected to save up to 74 tonnes of CO2 per year, contributing meaningfully to the council’s overall targets.

The council is also in the process of implementing the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), which outlines the pathway to achieve net zero across the district. Focused on retrofitting homes, transitioning to low-carbon transportation, and generating renewable energy, the LAEP has gained regional support, with consultancy fees funded by the newly formed Office of the Mayor for the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

 

Despite the strides taken, challenges remain. The council’s carbon footprint increased in 2023/24 due to the expansion of services, such as the introduction of kerbside glass collection and additional grounds maintenance responsibilities. These initiatives, while essential to enhancing services for residents, have contributed to a rise in emissions to 3,141 tCO2e for 2023/24—up from 2,407 tCO2e in 2022/23. Nonetheless, these increases are expected to reverse as new green technologies are implemented.

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In the housing sector, energy efficiency remains a focus. The council has invested heavily in improving the energy ratings of low-income homes. Under the Local Authority Delivery Phase 3 (LAD3) scheme, 66 properties have received energy-efficient retrofits, and through further funding initiatives, 102 properties are set to be equipped with air source heat pumps and solar PV by March 2025. This effort will see properties increase from EPC ratings of D or E to C, contributing significantly to residents’ savings on energy bills while lowering carbon emissions.

Furthermore, the council is currently assessing the potential of switching its fleet vehicles to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which could yield a reduction of up to 1,018 tonnes of CO2—equivalent to the carbon offsetting capacity of around 30 hectares of forest. The costs are expected to be higher compared to diesel, but the environmental benefits far outweigh these costs, offering a cleaner alternative that aligns with the council’s sustainability goals.

 

Tree planting initiatives have also continued, with the council surpassing its original target of 10,000 trees by planting over 19,000 since 2019. This will potentially sequester 475 tonnes of CO2 per year once the trees mature. The council is also collaborating with the Sherwood Forest Trust, which has planted an additional 2,000 trees and has over 4,600 more ready for planting.

The future direction of the council’s climate action looks promising, albeit ambitious. With plans to complete a digital twin through the LAEP, further investments in renewables, and a commitment to enhancing building energy efficiency, NSDC appears determined to stay on course for its 2035 net-zero goal. The community continues to be a key component of this effort, with ongoing education, support, and incentives aimed at behaviour change.

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