Council lists 200 new actions to tackle climate change

Cabinet has agreed our third Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP3) covering the period 2024 to 2027. It builds on the first two plans, CERP1 and CERP2, the first of which was established in 2020.

CERP3 will set out 232 actions to carry out over the next three years to help achieve our targets of reducing our emissions by 80 per cent and achieving net zero emissions for County Durham by 2045.

Progress so far

Through the actions in CERP1 and CERP2, we have achieved a 61 per cent reduction in our carbon emissions, which have fallen from 105,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2008 to 41,733 tonnes (2022/2023).

Cllr Mark Wilkes, our Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: "We have already made significant progress towards achieving our environmental targets through previous response plans.

"However, the challenge of addressing climate change remains very significant, and we will continue to develop our response to ensure we remain on track and do everything we can to protect our planet. As part of our plans, we are also focusing on actions which not only reduce carbon emissions but council costs as well.

"This is our most comprehensive climate response plan to date, with a programme of detailed actions to reduce emissions across our operations. It includes a wide range of actions we will take with partners to achieve our climate targets more widely across the county."

Projects carried out

Cabinet heard that more than 80 per cent of actions in CERP2 (2022 to 2024) are progressing, with 124 of the 150 actions complete or on track.

This includes the decarbonisation of streetlights and of heating in our buildings, nature restoration and tree planting programmes, and the transformation of Morrison Busty into a low carbon depot.

It also heard how projects are making significant monetary savings through more efficient lighting and the production of our own renewable energy. The Street Light LED Replacement Programme has already saved over £5.5m in unused energy costs and will continue to create savings.

Countywide, actions include the completion of walking and cycling infrastructure for nine of the county's towns; energy efficiency grants awarded to over 500 businesses; over 1,000 hectares of blanket bog restoration; expansion of the county's electric vehicle charging infrastructure with 250 new charge points; and progress with the Seaham Garden Village minewater heat programme.

Future actions

Actions within CERP3 include the continued decarbonisation of our buildings, the roll out of electric vehicles within our fleet and continued expansion of charging infrastructure.

It also outlines ambitions to increase biodiversity in our open spaces and to introduce wind turbines at the authority's Hackworth Road depot.

Countywide, actions include public transport improvements, greater low carbon controls within planning applications, and the expansion of renewable energy schemes from our partners. CERP3 also lists a wide range of supporting carbon reduction measures from the Local Nature Recovery Strategy currently in development.