Brighton climate report shows council's track to net zero

Brighton and Hove City Council has published its first annual report on climate action.

The report details the council’s progress for the year and looks ahead to how the authority plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the future.

Since 2005, the council’s carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by 640 thousand tonnes. In 2020, the council produced about half as much CO2 as it did in 2005.

 “Over recent months we’ve seen close up the devastating effects of extreme weather, from record-breaking heatwaves and drought to the unprecedented floods,” said Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty.

“There has never been more urgency to deal with the dangerous emissions that cause global warming.

"Brighton and Hove’s 2030 carbon neutral programme lays out how we intend to meet the target scientists warn us we must reach to prevent climate breakdown and irreversible damage to nature.”

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The report outlined some of the council’s successes from the year, including becoming one of the top five councils in the country for electric vehicle charging points with over 300 installed.

The council also introduced the first all-electric bin truck in the South East.

The council data also breaks down its CO2 emissions from different sectors. The largest contribution is from school heating which makes up over a fifth of the council’s total emissions.

Housing heating, at 3,307 tonnes of CO2e, is also a large contributor, making up 18% of the council’s emissions in the year 2020-21.

The council has set a target to become carbon neutral by 2030, and in that target they aim to reduce carbon emissions to a quarter of their current level.

For 2020, the council estimates that it was be about 30,000 tonnes above its target of 1,057 thousand tonnes.

According to the council, its emissions make up just 1.7% of the total for the city. It said collaboration with businesses and communities is “essential” if the council is to reach its carbon neutral target by 2030.