To approve the council’s new Carbon Management Plan (CMP) which sets out the council’s approach to reducing carbon emissions for the period 2026/27 to 2030/31. 

Councillor Swinglehurst, cabinet member for culture and environment introduced the report.

 

It was noted that Herefordshire Council began its carbon reduction journey several years prior to the declaration of a climate emergency and ahead of the UK Government’s net zero legislation. Early action focused on pragmatic, cost?effective measures, including the transition to 100% LED street lighting, reducing energy consumption from 4.7m kWh to 1.7m kWh and delivering significant financial savings.

 

Further progress includes the installation of over 4,000 solar PV panels and the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Following the declaration of a climate emergency in 2019, the Council accelerated its net zero target from 2050 to 2030. The fourth Carbon Management Plan (2026/27–2030/31) sets out the pathway to achieving this target and, for the first time, incorporates carbon offsetting.

 

It was noted that emissions have reduced from 27,498 tCO2e in 2008/09 to 5,357 tCO2e at the start of the current plan, representing a 63.5% reduction. The plan has been developed through a task and finish group and provides a refined scope of greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on areas within the Council’s direct control, aligned with international reporting protocols.

 

It was emphasised that this is a Council-specific plan and does not cover wider county emissions, which are addressed separately through the Herefordshire Environment Board. The Board will continue to support county-wide initiatives, including farm engagement and carbon reduction programmes.

 

It was acknowledged that further emissions reductions will become increasingly challenging and will require consideration of carbon impacts across all Council decisions and operations. However, the transition to net zero was highlighted as an opportunity, supporting economic growth, skilled employment, public health, and environmental benefits. The local low carbon sector is currently valued at approximately £495m annually and is forecast to grow significantly.

 

The plan includes proposals for offsetting residual emissions, including potential investment in biochar (via pyrolysis), which has demonstrated positive results in neighbouring authorities and offers both financial returns and environmental benefits.

 

In response to consultation feedback, it was confirmed that:

• Waste emissions are excluded as they fall outside direct Council control.
• Pyrolysis technology is considered established and already in use regionally.
• Decarbonisation of heating is being explored, although heat pumps are not suitable for all assets.
• Fleet transition and EV strategy are underway.
• Contracted services include net zero requirements.
• Work is ongoing to improve local data on commuting patterns.
• Efforts will be made to present information in clear, accessible language.

 

The Cabinet Member thanked contributors to the consultation process and noted the inclusion of a written submission from the Independents for Herefordshire Group. 

 

 

 

Comments from cabinet members:

 

Members welcomed the alignment of the report with the Council’s core strategic plans. It was noted that the introduction of a new public realm contract, including the use of electric vehicles, is expected to support further emissions reductions in the coming year. The report was supported and fully endorsed.

 

Members noted homeworking and the plan suggests the council could make better use of the council spaces that are heated and used.  Concern was also noted regard homeworking’s potential contribution to the Council’s carbon emissions and if the council’s estate should be reviewed and use of space to make the best use of what was available. 

 

It was reported that changes within the public realm contract are expected to deliver significant savings, including a reduction of approximately 34,000 litres of diesel use through the transition from diesel trucks to electric vehicles for locality stewards, equating to an estimated saving of 85 tonnes of carbon.

 

It was noted that a requirement for M Group included a requirement for vehicles over 3.6 tonnes to use hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), while vehicles under 2 tonnes are to be fully electric. It was acknowledged that these updated measures are not yet fully reflected in the current plan but will be incorporated as the transition progresses.

 

Members noted that, while the Carbon Management Plan was appropriate within the context of the Council’s responsibilities, it may have different implications when considered more broadly, particularly in relation to farming and food production. It was confirmed that, despite these wider concerns, the plan is supported in its capacity as a Council document.

 

Group Leaders were invited to offer their views:

 

The True Independents Leader outlined the views of their group and argued that:

Congratulations were extended to Councillor Swinglehurst and the work that had been completed on the Plan. 

 

The representative for Independents for Herefordshire outlined the views of their group and argued that:

 

Concern was expressed that the draft Carbon Management Plan was not made available in sufficient time to inform Policy and Governance Committee discussions, reiterating the importance of early consultation and timely sharing of draft decision reports.

 

It was noted that the proposed biochar approach could account for a significant proportion of carbon savings; however, concerns were raised regarding the lack of clear delivery timelines and the absence of corresponding provision within current budget plans. It was suggested that, if biochar was to be pursued seriously, greater clarity and commitment was required.

 

The importance of recognising Herefordshire’s agricultural economy was highlighted and the need to balance decarbonisation with impacts on farming and food production. It was emphasised that, while the Council cannot achieve net zero alone, it should lead by example and support wider community engagement.

 

Support was expressed for evidence-based measures, cross-party collaboration, and a fair transition to achieve net zero by 2030/31. Some concerns were noted regarding the practical use of electric vehicles in rural conditions, although it was acknowledged that overall benefits may outweigh these challenges.

 

The Liberal Democrat Group Leader outlined the views of their group and argued that:

 

The progress that had been made was welcomed.

 

The Green Group Leader outlined the views of their group and argued that:

 

The Carbon Management Plan was welcomed but expressed concerns that some actions taken by the administration did not fully reflect the urgency required and, in some cases, were perceived as counterproductive. It was noted that funding previously allocated from the West Midlands Energy Dividend for climate action had not been maintained, which members felt limited the Council’s ability to progress key initiatives.

 

Concern was raised regarding the plan’s reliance on carbon offsetting, particularly the significant contribution expected from the proposed biochar project. Members highlighted the lack of detailed analysis within the plan, including clarity on timelines, feedstock availability, costs, and delivery risks. It was queried when a full business case would be presented to Cabinet, including lifecycle carbon assessment, financial modelling, planning considerations, governance arrangements, and risk mitigation.

 

The need for a clear funded implementation plan was emphasised, with defined annual actions, costs, savings, and emissions reductions. Without this, there was concern that the plan could lack transparency and accountability and may not deliver the required outcomes.

 

While acknowledging that the plan focused on Council emissions only, the Council’s wider leadership role in influencing county-wide emissions through policy areas such as transport, planning, housing retrofit, farming, land use, nature recovery, and public health was stressed. It was suggested that this broader leadership role was not sufficiently addressed.

 

Overall, members supported the plan in principle but considered that it could have been strengthened significantly

 

In response to the comments made:

 

It was confirmed that the vehicles that have been scoped were suitable for the job.

 

The potential of alternative fuels was noted, particularly pyrolysis, and supported further exploration of this approach. It was recognised that delivery of the actions within the plan would require the development of separate, detailed business cases, which were already being prepared, with initial confidence drawn from progress in neighbouring authorities.

 

Members also highlighted the Council’s leadership role in the wider carbon reduction agenda, particularly in relation to agriculture. It was noted that farm carbon audits undertaken to date have been instrumental in increasing understanding of carbon sequestration potential, with some farms already identified as carbon negative or close to achieving this. The significant opportunity within the agricultural sector was acknowledged, and it was confirmed that the Council will continue to support and build on this work.

 

The Leader of the Council concluded the discussions. Councillor Swinglehurst proposed the recommendations, with Cllr Stoddart seconding.  The Leader directed that the decision to be put before Cabinet is:

 

That:

 

a)    The Carbon Management Plan 2026/27 – 2030/31 is approved.

 

The recommendations were unanimously approved.