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North Somerset Councillors heard during Full Council on Tuesday 11 November the latest update on the Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan.
Agreed in 2022, this sets out North Somerset Council’s aim of becoming a carbon neutral council and area by 2030 through reducing transport emissions, renewable energy generation and increasing energy efficiency.
Presented by Cabinet Member Cllr Annemieke Waite, the latest update highlighted a number of key achievements as well as areas requiring more focus.
The report shows since the 2018/19 baseline total emissions from North Somerset Council have decreased by 2,593 tonnes of CO2e equivalent (tCO2e), due in part to improved efficiencies through street lighting and council owned buildings.
However, emissions rose slightly in 2024/25 compared to the previous year, driven by increased fuel use in home to school transport and the recycling and waste fleet. However, the council aims for carbon emissions to decrease now North Somerset has moved from a fortnightly to three-weekly recycling and waste collection.
Some key decarbonisations projects to note include:
- £2.3 million secured for decarbonising Hutton Moor Leisure Centre which will reduce the council’s footprint by 300 tCO2e. Solar PV installations are also completed, saving an estimated 28.17 tonnes of carbon annually.
- 24 electric buses deployed through the ZEBRA fund.
- Passivhaus accreditation received for the Uplands Development of 52 homes in Nailsea. The Passivhaus standard is a stellar for energy efficiency of homes and an exemplar for sustainability.
- Expansion of the Thermal Imaging Camera scheme available via North Somerset libraries to support household energy efficiency.
Communities and business are also playing their part in helping reduce carbon emissions and boost renewable energy generation. Total emissions for the North Somerset area in 2023 were 1,153.80kt CO2e – a decrease of 550kt CO2e since 2005.
- Over 170 homes have successfully installed solar panels as part of ‘Solar Together Round 3’ which saw North Somerset have the highest number of registrations in the West of England area, lowering energy bills for residents. The estimated carbon saving is 148tCO2e annually.
- The Green Business Grants programme helped over 30 businesses with free carbon surveys, small capital grants for projects up to £5000, and large capital grants for projects from £5000-£10,000 to help reduce carbon emissions.
- The Future Energy Landscapes programme is working with communities in Clevedon, Portishead, and Weston-super-Mare to promote renewable energy initiatives.
- North Somerset joined the new Western Forest Project, aiming to create 2,500 hectares of woodland by 2030.
Cllr Annemieke Waite, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment at North Somerset Council said: "While we celebrate the significant strides being made in reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and lowering household bills, we know there is much more to do. As it stands, we are not on course to meet our target of being net zero by 2030. To do so will require accelerated action, robust data, and continued collaboration across all sectors. We also need the Government's commitment for medium and long-term change and resilience. We continue to work with local partners and lobby the government to identify future opportunities for this priority."
For more information and to view the report in full, visit: Committee Report NSC.
To read the council’s plans on tackling climate change, please visit Our plans to tackle climate change | North Somerset Council