Carbon zero - the journey so far

Since agreeing our climate change strategy in 2021, we've developed and delivered projects under different theme headings.

Our climate change strategy summary attached to this page outlines the main themes, and the actions we're taking to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions over the next few years. You can find out about our current climate change priorities.

Progress

Sustainable transport and travel:

• worked with partners on a project to make it easier for people to car share and 'rent out' their private electric vehicle charge points, with funding from Midlands Connect
• set up an electric mobility scooter scheme to encourage access for all at our countryside sites
• added additional electric vans and electric cars to our fleet as well as ensuring that most of our fleet is now Clean Air Zone compliant
• supported a 2-year hydrogen refuse collection truck programme to explore the potential that hydrogen can make to decarbonising heavy transport in and around the county
• invested in the county's Key Cycle Network to promote active travel
• assessed all the county's train and bus stations to see whether we can improve cycling and walking links at each one
• launched a project to look at rolling out e-bike hire in the Peak Park area
• worked with job centres to offer sustainable travel advice and incentives to jobseekers
• launched a project to increase the number of people taking up cycle training
• launched a sustainable travel strategy for schools to provide healthier, more environmentally-sustainable ways of travel to school as a viable option to travelling by car
• supported the implementation of air quality management areas to reduce transport pollutant emissions in specific areas of Derbyshire
• through our Bus Service Improvement Programme, supported a new fleet of 57 electric buses for North East Derbyshire
• began working in partnership with district and borough councils and private enterprise to install 1,000 electric vehicle charge points across the county by 2025

Waste reduction and food sustainability:

• included the requirement for suppliers to provide information on their sustainability commitments, minimising single use plastics and opportunities to reduce carbon emissions as part of our sustainable procurement strategy
• promoted the local circular economy by supporting local repair cafés across the county and developing recycling centre re-use shops at local recycling centres
• provided funding for Rural Action Derbyshire for affordable food projects that support the redistribution of surplus food
• helped launch Feeding Derbyshire, a county wide partnership aimed at finding sustainable food solutions to help feed people who are struggling with low income or debt
• our catering service has held a Food for Life Catering Mark silver award since July 2016

Renewable energy and energy efficient buildings and homes:

• produced a Spatial Energy Study (attached to this page) to better understand the renewable energy opportunities available across the county
• launched a consultation to find out what support private homeowners in Derbyshire need to improve the energy efficiency of their homes
• developed design standards for new-build and refurbishments on our own estate

Natural environment and biodiversity:

• worked with partners to maintain and create more wildflower-friendly verges and agree a co-ordinated approach for the management of roadside verges as they can be a valuable haven for wildlife
• developed a significant tree and woodland strategy as well as a target for a million trees by 2030
• gained funding for Derbyshire's Heartwood Community Forest in partnership with the National Forest on the eastern fringes of Derbyshire

Business and industry:

• developed the Green Entrepreneurs Fund programme offering grants to small and medium-sized businesses to kick-start the county's carbon reduction agenda and boost local businesses, including a fund to up-skill the workforce
• supported Derbyshire businesses to cut their carbon emissions through the DE-Carbonise programme
• held a Tackling Climate Change Together summit in March 2020, attended by more than 150 people from local businesses, housing developers, councils and other public bodies

Community climate change engagement:

• developed our joint Vision Derbyshire Climate Change Strategy in partnership with the district and borough councils in Derbyshire to support us in reaching our net zero commitments
• engaged with local community energy groups to co-design and co-deliver projects and campaigns
• engaged with young people across the county through the Derbyshire Youth Network to co-design and co-deliver projects and initiatives for young people around climate change action and awareness
• developed an approach to working with schools across the county to reduce emissions and lead to wider environmental benefits and awareness among schools and their communities
• supported community groups with climate change actions through the Derbyshire Grant Scheme which included energy saving and solar panels, cycling projects, food growing, and circular economy initiatives
• worked with other health and wellbeing professionals to develop SMILERS materials to help children feel more positive about what they can do for our environment

Planning and land use:

• developed planning and climate change guidance for climate related planning issues and design considerations - this is for the design and implementation of development proposals and is to be included in the development plan policies across the district and boroughs in their local plans
• developed the Derbyshire Minerals Local Plan, including an assessment of climate change

Find out what you can do to help cut carbon emissions.