Carbon Emissions Budget 7

Using scientific analysis described in Appendix B, the county has a budget of 20MtCO2 which can be used up by 2045, as illustrated opposite.

For this CERP 2022-2024 to stick to that carbon budget, County Durham’s carbon emissions must fall to a maximum of 1,632,000 tonnes by the end of 2023. That’s 65% less than in 1990, which was the baseline year.

The following specific targets are based on a reduction from 2019 levels (our most recent data) to where we need to be in 2023 (the end of the period covered by this plan). These targets are or the County as a whole and are described in more detail in Appendix B:

• 35,000 fewer fossil fuel cars on our roads, or 25% reduction in car use. • 55,000 fewer domestic gas boilers, or equivalent reduction in heat demand. • 20% reduction in gas use in non-domestic buildings. • 20% reduction in emissions from grid electricity. • 10% increase in renewable electricity generation across the county. • 5% offset through sequestration works such as tree planting.

The Council has its own set of targets for carbon reduction in line with this carbon budget. The Council’s new target is for Net Zero by 2030, with 80% to be met by actual emissions reduction.

Target: 68% reduction by the end of 2023/24

The following specific targets are based on reduction from 2020/21 levels (our most recent data) to where we need to be in 2023/24 (the end of the period covered by this plan). They are described in more detail in Appendix A:

• 12% reduction in gas use in council buildings. • 20% reduction in business travel emissions. • 10% of fleet emissions reduced. • 6,000,000kWh of renewable electricity generated by DCC annually.

The council’s net zero target can include offsetting or actual reduction to account for the emissions remaining after we’ve met our actual reduction goals.

Offsetting will be met through sequestration works such as tree planting and through generation of excess renewable electricity that we supply to the national grid.

Our 2045 Vision for this strategy is to ensure that:

We are working together towards a just transition to a Carbon Neutral County Durham as soon as possible.

• All the energy that is used in the County will be generated from renewable sources, including the way we heat our comfortable, energy efficient buildings. • All of County Durham’s transport will be ultra-low carbon and everyone will have access to safe and reliable public transport, while cycling and walking by choice whenever possible. • Our natural environment will be thriving, and it will easily offset minimal remaining carbon emissions. • Our strong local economy will support sustainable and highly skilled jobs. • Rural communities will be connected, supported and sustainable. • There will be almost zero waste in a circular economy. • Our residents and businesses will be safe from the worst impacts of extreme weather events that currently threaten us.

The vision is built on 4 key principles that underpin the approach we are taking:

Our climate is changing. That is beyond any doubt, and the impacts are now being felt around the world including here in County Durham. Fossil fuels must no longer be used wherever possible, and the transition must be as quick as possible.

Whilst we can do this, we do not want to disadvantage those most vulnerable in our society. A fair and just transition is about ensuring investment in new clean, green jobs, about making sure that people have access to safe, clean and green methods of transport and that people can live in warm comfortable homes without fossil fuel heating and without fuel poverty. Better internet access and speeds will keep us all connected regardless of our individual circumstances or physical ability.

There is also the social cost of carbon to consider, and which areas of society will be worst hit by the effects of the climate emergency, as many carbon emissions come with added effects which most often harm the most vulnerable people. No-one should be left behind as society changes to mitigate climate change, and no-one should be left to bear the brunt of our changing climate in poor housing or without protection.

The climate crisis will first affect those people who are most vulnerable. It is essential that we do not allow the climate emergency to disproportionately affect the health and wellbeing of any groups of people in Durham. Together we must use this opportunity to encourage improved health for all.

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