St Helens Council aims to reach net zero for the entire borough by 2040, and it is important that we keep track of our own progress against this goal.
Every year, we measure our scope 1 (directly burning fossil fuels) and scope 2 (electricity) emissions and report these to cabinet. We will be publishing the results of this analysis here on an annual basis to ensure transparency.
Between April 2023 and the end of March 2024, our council directly produced 8,196 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. 4,735 tonnes originate from scope 1, including burning gas to heat council buildings and local authority owned schools, and from burning petrol and diesel in our fleet. 3,461 tonnes come from electricity use across council buildings, local authority owned schools, and street lighting and traffic lights.
The council has reduced its emissions by 896 tonnes since the previous year. Our goal is to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
To reach this target, the council must reduce its own emissions by just over 500 tonnes per year. For 2023/24 this target has been exceeded and can largely be attributed to a reduction in gas consumption in council buildings and schools, and reduced use of petrol and gas in fleet vehicles.
Such reductions are linked to actions relating to building improvements and changes to the fleet in the Climate Change Action Plan, including the addition of 34 electric vehicles to the fleet. A range of council projects aim to keep up this pace of change in the coming years.
