Carbon Neutral Council Plan 2022- 2024

The council's 2030 target applies to its Scope 1 & 2 emissions - those greenhouse gas emissions the council controls directly. Therefore this delivery plan focusses on the measures needed to reduce those emissions in line with our 2030 target. However, our Climate Strategy also commits us to working to understand our Scope 3 emissions in order to reduce them, so actions are included for Scope 3 emissions as well. 

Scope 1 (Direct emissions) 

Emissions released into the atmosphere from operations owned or controlled by the council. These are direct emissions and relate to emissions arising from the combustion of Natural Gas, Oil, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), Solid Fuels and Automotive Fuels. 

Wiltshire Council Scope 1 Emissions 

• Buildings heating (gas, biomass) 
• Fleet owned and operated directly by the council 

In 2021/22 our Scope 1 emissions were 5275 t CO₂e, as reported in Wiltshire Council's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions report 2021/22. 

Scope 2 (Energy indirect) 

Emissions released into the atmosphere associated with the council's consumption of purchased electricity for operations owned or controlled by the council. These arise from the emissions associated with the generation of electricity purchased by the council. These are indirect emissions that are a consequence of the council's operations but that are released at sources the council does not own or control. 

Wiltshire Council Scope 2 Emissions 

• Buildings electricity 
• Streetlights 
• Electric Vehicles 

In 2020/21 our Scope 2 emissions were 0 kt CO₂e. This is because the electricity the council purchases comes from a zero carbon source. However, just because the emissions can be recorded as zero, we cannot be complacent and we must still reduce our energy demand, particularly as energy costs are significant and increasing. Before application of the green electricity tariff our Scope 2 emissions would have been 4077 t CO₂e 

Indirect emissions - Scope 3 

These are greenhouse gases which are not emitted by Wiltshire Council, but as an indirect result of council operations or products that we buy, or buildings/fleet that we own but are operated by a third party. Emissions from these sources are estimated to be about 30 times those from council directly controlled emissions, which is why they are also an important part of our Climate Strategy and delivery plans. 

These Scope 3 emissions are not in the council's direct control and they are more difficult to measure, but we can influence them.  The council's influence can give a strong message to our providers and supply chains that we want them to monitor and improve their climate impacts. This can help to improve environmental performance as well as increase the availability of green products, services and skills. 

As a starting point for understanding the council's Scope 3 emissions, consultants Anthesis used standard industry figures and the size of council contracts to arrive at a likely ballpark figure for our Scope 3 emissions.  Their study conjectured that the council's most significant sectors for carbon emissions are likely to be in Health and Social Work, Road Transport, Sewage and Refuse Services and Construction. Anthesis Report Wiltshire Council (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window).

The study projects that in terms of individual contracts and services, the council's waste and highways procurement are probably the most significant emissions hotspots. Together these are likely to constitute 45% of total emissions (25% and 20% respectively). Other significant contributions to emissions are likely to come from adult residential placements and other transport contracts (both 11%). The top ten contracts (by carbon emissions), together constitute 70% of estimated emissions, but only around 50% of expenditure. 

It is important to note that none of these figures are based on actual data from Wiltshire Council contracts and that a more accurate picture will need to be developed to establish an actual baseline.