Carbon zero - the journey so far
Our timeline showing everything we've done so far, or are currently working on, to tackle climate change.
Take a look at our climate change strategy summary to find out how we are going to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions over the next few years.
2022-2023
Transport and travel:
- ongoing transitioning of our fleet to low and zero emission vehicles
- continued working in partnership with district and borough councils and private enterprise to install 1,000 electric vehicle charge points across the county by 2025
- commenced work with the quarrying and mineral products industry to support the sector to become more sustainable locally, which includes reducing emissions from the transport of materials around and out of the county
- secured Active Travel England Capability Funding to develop a series of local active travel (walking and cycling) plans
- continued work with operators through an enhanced partnership to deliver the county wide Bus Service Improvement Plan, using £47 million of funding secured from the Department for Transport (DfT) in November 2022
- worked on a project to make it easier for people to car share and 'rent out' their private electric vehicle charge points, following confirmation of funding from Midlands Connect
Council buildings and services:
- continued monitoring of our energy consumption to manage it more effectively and reduce costs and emissions
- continued auditing and monitoring of our water use where possible, to implement water reduction saving measures
- continued delivery of the climate change training programme for employees and councillors, which now includes mandatory climate change training for new members of staff
- delivery of internal workshops for our service areas to develop actions to reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change
- sustainable procurement policy approved by Cabinet in June 2022 to change our process for buying goods and services to reduce environmental impact and improve sustainability
Natural resources:
- worked with other councils in Derbyshire to deliver a Spatial Energy Study (attached to this page) to better understand the renewable energy opportunities available across the county
- continued to develop and promote our 'Million Trees' campaign involving communities and businesses in their own tree planting
- continued to manage our green spaces across the county effectively to protect and enhance the local biodiversity
Our homes:
- launched a consultation to find out what support private homeowners in Derbyshire need to improve the energy efficiency of their homes
- supported the district and borough councils across Derbyshire to help residents to install efficiency measures in their homes and reduce fuel poverty
Community engagement:
- 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 - find out more about our Derbyshire youth climate change makers
- published our Climate Change Engagement Plan (attached to this page) for how we will engage with local communities to deliver the Climate Change Strategy for Derbyshire
- engaged with community energy groups to co-design and co-deliver projects and campaigns
Vision Derbyshire:
2021 and earlier
Transport and travel:
- explored the potential that hydrogen can make to decarbonising transport in and around the county, such as the potential for hydrogen-powered buses, vans and other heavy vehicles
- invested in the county's Key Cycle Network
- assessed all of 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
Business and industry:
- launched a Green Entrepreneurs Fund programme offering grants to eligible micro, small and medium sized businesses to kick-start the county's carbon reduction and alternative energy agenda and boost local businesses - this includes a scholarship fund to skill-up the alternative energy workforce of tomorrow
- 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
Council buildings and services:
- decarbonisation of our vehicle fleet with electric vehicles and the use of other low emission fuels
- reduced emissions from our street lighting through the introduction of LED street lights
- set up an Improvement and Scrutiny Committee for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Carbon Reduction to scrutinise decisions and plans made about climate change and sustainability issues
- approved a policy to reduce the amount of single-use plastics we use in our buildings and the services we provide
- 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
Natural resources:
- developed a Natural Capital Strategy which takes a close look at Derbyshire's natural assets – such as soil, minerals, air, water and biodiversity – assesses what resources we need more of, where existing resources can be enhanced, and the measures needed to replace natural resources when we use them
- developed plans to support the planting of up to a million new trees in Derbyshire by 2030, while looking at other types of habitat protection and creation as part of potential carbon-offsetting and wider environmentally beneficial opportunities
- 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
- looked at what we, together with partner organisations, can do to achieve biodiversity net gain and biodiversity off-setting in Derbyshire, linked to the requirements of the 2021 Environment Act
Our homes:
- worked with district and borough councils to use government funding to retro-fit housing as well as working with them to develop a county-wide approach to domestic energy projects
Waste and resources:
Find out what you can do to help cut carbon emissions.