Durham County Council agrees new climate plan to achieve Net Zero

Durham County Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, setting out a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. 

The latest plan, covering 2024 to 2027, sets out 232 actions to help the council achieve its targets of reducing council emissions by 80 per cent. 

A cabinet meeting on Wednesday heard the local authority has so far achieved a 61 per cent reduction in its carbon emissions. It includes the decarbonisation of streetlights and heating in council buildings, nature restoration and tree planting programmes. 

Other projects are making significant monetary savings through more efficient lighting.

Councillor Mark Wilkes, cabinet member responsible for climate action, said progress has been substantial. 

“We have supported our communities and our businesses, harnessing their considerable ambition to take County Durham towards a cleaner, greener future,” he said. 

New walking and cycling infrastructure for nine towns in County Durham has also been seen as a significant boost. The county’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure has also been expanded with 250 new charge points.

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But cllr Wilkes warned the challenge of addressing climate change remains very significant. He urged the new Labour Government to make Net Zero a priority and provide continued funding and legislative backing to local authorities. 

The Liberal Democrat member added: “I want our council to take the next step having elevated ourselves to the best in the region at tackling climate change, to leading the way to being the best in the country bringing the investment, jobs, and prosperity this county so badly needs.

“This plan sets out what we will be doing to play our part in tackling climate change across the next three years and beyond and will also help us to lead the way in the future to a stronger and greener economy.”