How the council is responding to climate change

The way that Suffolk County Council operates is changing. As a council, we are working to reduce the carbon impacts of everything we do.

We are working to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and to enhance biodiversity across 30% of our estate.

Net Zero means that we will no longer be adding to climate change. We bring our impacts down as close to zero as possible. Any remaining emissions will be balanced out by measures to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Suffolk’s environment

Suffolk’s natural and historic environment is one of its greatest strengths. It is why so many enjoy living and working in and visiting Suffolk and, therefore, has a vital role in improving health and wellbeing. Suffolk’s environment also makes a significant economic contribution, as a leader in green growth with its renewables and technology sectors, as well as its visitor economy.

The county council has declared a climate emergency and recognises both the urgency for action and the scale of the challenge to becoming carbon neutral. We will continue to change our own approaches to progress to net zero, as well as work to encourage others’ behaviour changes. Both are needed to protect and enhance Suffolk’s environment and biodiversity, while also reducing harmful carbon emissions.

Carbon Negative Nature Positive

Suffolk County Council wants to lead by example in demonstrating the necessary action. 'Carbon Negative, Nature Positive’ is our transformation programme delivering on this commitment. We are working to be net zero carbon across our estate and operations by 2030. At the same time, we are revising our land management to be more nature friendly, supporting enhanced biodiversity across at least 30% of our estate by 2030.

Our emissions

Since 2022, we have produced a carbon budget, which is a set of data that identifies our carbon emissions (footprint) and how much we need to reduce them to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030. It also identifies actions and costs to meet the target.

You can read summaries of these reports here:

Emissions that contribute to our Net Zero Carbon journey include all greenhouse gases and  are measured in three different ways, known as ‘scopes’:

Scope 1: Direct Emissions

These are emissions that occur directly from sites or assets owned or controlled by Suffolk County Council, e.g. gas boilers, fleet vehicles

Scope 2: Indirect Emissions

These are emissions that occur elsewhere from energy purchased for use with Suffolk County Council’s sites or assets, e.g. electricity, heat or steam

Scope 3: Indirect Emissions

These are indirect emissions that are associated with Suffolk County Council’s activities, but are not directly owned or controlled the council, e.g. employee commuting, public transport, purchased goods & services from our supply chain, waste disposal.

Scope 3 emissions are more difficult to account for, because the data often lies with the supply chain in other organisations. As a result, there is a higher degree of estimation with Scope 3 emissions.

How are we doing?

Some of our achievements include:

• Committed £12.8 million to decarbonising our estate
• Switched to a 100% renewable energy tariff
• Upgrading building insulation
• Installations of destratification fans & building management systems to improve energy consumption
• 38% reduction in gas use from our corporate estate, with cost avoidance of over £800k over programme to date
• 2022/23 saw a 29% carbon saving across our 6 largest properties - these buildings had previously represented 70% of our utilities-based carbon emissions
• Upgrading 43,400 streetlights which has reduced carbon by 2,200 tonnes since 2019/20
• All pool cars now electric vehicles
• Revised incentives for staff sustainable travel
• 37% of our top 100 suppliers have their own net zero targets
• Training for contract managers on our Climate Change Commercial Ask
• Created a staff champions network
• Climate awareness and carbon literacy training staff and councillors
• ‘Green up your team’ resource pack for teams
• Carbon Charter supports 500 local SMEs to decarbonise
• Over 250,000 trees planted between 2021-2023

We submit responses to Climate Emergency UK’s research, which measures the strength of councils’ written climate action plans:

Electric vehicles

Suffolk County Council is committed to sustainable travel. All our pool cars are now electric vehicles, and we promote cycling, walking and park & ride schemes, as well as offering staff discounts on public transport. All staff travel benefits are funded out of staff car parking charges.

Electric vehicles play a big part in sustainable travel, as we support staff to make travel choices that have a positive impact on climate change.

We also work with local councils, businesses and organisations to improve access to electric vehicle charging across the county.

Read more about our electric vehicle work.