SKDC takes strides on climate matters

South Kesteven District Council has published an update on progress towards its carbon targets and set out its ambitions for the next 12 months.

The document outlines SKDC’s achievements during the past year and provides an update on how the council is reducing its carbon footprint.

The Climate Matters draft statement – the second to be published by SKDC – will be considered by the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (9 November) to mark the month two years ago that the Council declared the climate emergency.

Council Leader Cllr Kelham Cooke said: “This year SKDC’s carbon footprint has reduced by almost 25%. While the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns played a part in this reduction, it is a strong step in the right direction – and one that we must do everything to maintain and improve upon in the year ahead to meet not only our own targets, but the nation’s target of a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

“South Kesteven District Council is continuing to develop projects to reduce carbon and improve our environment. This work cuts across all service areas and demonstrates the need for continued partnership work to contribute towards national targets to decarbonise the economy.

“We are continuing to roll out upgrades of streetlights operated by the Council to LED lights, with around 600 lights due to be upgraded in the next three years. Funding has been agreed to upgrade over 1,000 Council owned properties to new efficient and low carbon heating systems.

“For future developments in the district, we have worked to ensure that trees on streets form an integral part of new large housing developments, which will improve these areas for residents as well as helping to reduce local pollution.”

South Kesteven District Council made a formal declaration of climate emergency with cross party support.

Alongside this, the Council confirmed the political ambition to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint by at least 30% by 2030, and to endeavour to become net-zero as soon as viable before 2050.

Ambitions for the next 12 months:

• Publish Council carbon footprint for 2021/22
• Review carbon reduction action plan to develop targeted projects to reduce emissions
• Conduct review of fleet of Council vehicles to reduce emissions
• Deliver upgrades in Council housing stock, targeting properties with no gas connection
• Review the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund for Council housing stock
• Continue to review opportunities to attract grants to help decarbonise key Council functions
• Develop proposals for tree planting to boost biodiversity and contribute to carbon reduction
• Review the need to adapt to an increased likelihood of extreme weather events
• Continue to run staff training sessions focusing on climate change and carbon reduction