Climate Change and Zero Carbon Roadmap

Climate Emergency Declaration and Zero Carbon Roadmap

On 25 June 2019, we declared a Climate Emergency and appointed specialist environmental consultants to help develop our response to the need to reduce the council’s and the district’s carbon emissions. 

This resulted in the publication of our Zero Carbon Roadmap in November 2019 which, along with the accompanying Action Plan, was adopted by the council on 31 March 2020.  The Action Plan focuses on carbon emissions, their sources and how to reduce them and identifies recommended actions to achieve Net Zero Carbon status.  

Our targets are to achieve a Net Zero Carbon Council by 2030 and a Net Zero Carbon District by 2050. A "Clean, green and Zero Carbon district" is a strategic priority in our Council Delivery Plan. 

If you want to find out more about our plans, read our NWLDC Zero Carbon Roadmap - Full Report (PDF Document, 3.72 Mb) and NWLDC Zero Carbon Roadmap - Action Plan (PDF Document, 0.96 Mb)

Year four achievements

Below is a summary of our year four achievements on our Zero Carbon journey, along with an insight into year four activities.

Zero Carbon year four achievements (PDF Document, 0.75 Mb)

Do you want to learn more about our Zero Carbon achievements and plans?

Each year we report our progress and plans to Corporate Scrutiny.  Read our Zero Carbon Summary Report - July 2024 (PDF Document, 0.35 Mb) for further details which has links to the full Scrutiny report or check out our previous years' achievements on the "Related Documents" below.

The Council's emissions have reduced by 10% in 2023/34 versus 2022/23 and by 62% compared to 2019/20. Emissions are primarily driven by gas and fuel use (Scope 1 - 77% of Scope 1&2) so the switch to hydrotreated vegetable oil from diesel for our fleet has had a significant impact on reducing emissions (down 97% in 2023/24 v 2019/20). Scope 2 emissions consist of purchased electricity ,which accounts for 22% of our Sceop 1&2 emissions, although the council buys REGO backed green electricity.  Scope 3 reporting is being developed - business mileage travelled and associated emissions are down 40% in 2023/34 v 2019/20.

Zero Carbon Grants

As part of our Zero Carbon commitment, we offer Zero Carbon Grants of £50 to £1000 each for environmentally-focused community projects across North West Leicestershire district.  The grant is open to groups and organisations and match funding is required.  Funding could support energy efficiency improvements to buildings (such as LED lighting or loft insulation) or projects to improve green spaces and it is a simple application process.

Learn more or apply for a Zero Carbon Grant.  

Recycle more

Recycle more is a key element of our Zero Carbon Roadmap.  Learn more about our Recycle more activity and our exciting food waste trial.

Did you know we also provide a trade waste collection service to support businesses?  Learn more about this service.

Embedding Zero Carbon in our work

Our Zero Carbon Roadmap is owned by our Strategic Director of Communities who, along with our Chief Executive and other members of the officer senior leadership team, regularly attend programme meetings to review progress and plans.

The impact of the Environment and Climate Change are considered in all Scrutiny and Cabinet reports and there is a Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder.