Climate Change Strategy
The climate is changing now, and more change is expected in the future.
A lot of this change is happening because of the greenhouse gases that we are adding to the atmosphere. These gases are trapping more heat, making the overall temperature of the world increase. This is changing our climate, and we will see more extreme weather and other effects as a result.
Tackling climate change and adapting to its effects may be difficult, but there are also opportunities for better energy efficiency and green technology.
It will take time and coordinated international action to stabilise and reverse these changes. But that does not mean we have to wait before taking action in the Harrogate District.
Our Targets
Harrogate Council has adopted a Climate Change Strategy in which ultimately aims to cut the District's carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2020.
We are also aiming to make a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions from our own operations by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050.
There are four main areas in the strategy:
- Energy use - e.g. improving energy efficiency in homes, businesses and in the council's operations; promoting and using renewable and other low carbon energy sources.
- Transport - e.g. improving vehicle efficiency in the council's fleet; promoting alternatives to private cars.
- Purchasing - e.g. using the council's buying power to adopt sustainable procurement principles within the council.
- Raising awareness and changing attitudes - e.g. working with schools and community groups on the community carbon reduction project; providing information to householders in both public and private sector housing; and providing assistance for local businesses to cut carbon and raise awareness in the workplace.
Download the climate change strategy:
Carbon modelling
We have commissioned external consultants to carry our a carbon modelling study, to look at the implications of the 40% and 80% carbon reduction targets.
ARUP was appointed to carry out this work, which was funded by the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Programme (RIEP).
Download the carbon modelling results: