The plan, considered and approved by Cabinet on 21 May, covers the period 2026/27 to 2030/31 and builds on the progress already made, with Council emissions reduced by around 64 per cent since 2008/09.

It sets out a practical programme of action across Council buildings, fleet, services and contracts, focused on reducing energy use, switching to lower carbon technologies, and increasing the use of renewable energy.

The Council produced 5,357 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2024/25, based on its buildings, services and operations. The largest sources include waste and recycling services, Council buildings, employee travel and outsourced contracts. The new plan sets out a range of measures to further reduce emissions over the next five years.

Key actions in the plan include:

• A planned transition of the Council fleet to electric vehicles, supported by new charging infrastructure and driver training
• Improvements to Council buildings, including upgraded heating systems and more efficient lighting
• Greater use of renewable energy
• Changes to major service contracts, including the introduction of lower carbon fuels for waste and highways operations where appropriate
• Encouraging more efficient use of buildings and reducing energy waste across the Council estate
• A focus on reducing emissions from staff travel through better use of vehicles and shared transport

The plan also looks at opportunities to balance any remaining emissions that cannot be eliminated through practical local projects.

These include generating and exporting excess renewable solar power, and supporting local environmental and nature-based projects such as tree planting and habitat creation. It also highlights new techniques such as biochar, which locks carbon into a stable form, as potential longer-term ways of helping to offset what cannot be eliminated.

Herefordshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture and the Environment, Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, said:

“The Carbon Management Plan sets out a clear and practical route to reducing emissions across our own operations while improving energy efficiency and resilience.

“We have already made significant progress, with emissions reduced by more than 60% since our baseline, but there is more we can do.

“This plan focuses on practical action — from improving buildings and moving towards electric vehicles, to working with our partners to reduce emissions from key services.

“It also helps us use energy more efficiently, reduce costs over time, and protect services against future energy price pressures.”

The plan was approved at Cabinet on 21 May, and work will begin immediately on delivering the first phase of actions, with progress monitored through annual reports.

•   You can read the full report and Carbon Management Plan as part of the Cabinet Meeting agenda, on the Council's website.