Our plans are expressed in our climate change strategy:
"We anticipate there may be remaining emissions to be balanced / offset from our grey fleet and some building services. In the event of residual emissions, we will be offsetting these through certified nature-based greenhouse gas removal techniques as a short-term solution whilst we continue to seek decarbonisation opportunities."
Why offsetting is important
To reach net zero means that when we have taken all practical steps to reduce emissions will need to offset any remaining emissions.
Put simply, this means that we need to invest in projects that remove as much carbon from the atmosphere as we continue to release.
What we're doing
While we don't know what our residual emissions will be by 2032, we're beginning to make forecasts. In the meantime, we're developing projects to remove carbon from the atmosphere, which include:
- delivering the Million Trees project and developing the Derbyshire Heartwood Community Forest
- developing management plans for our land, including identifying which ones have the potential to store more carbon
- producing a Natural Capital Strategy that identifies targets for different habitats in the county to direct investment in carbon removal projects
- working with colleagues in district and borough councils to make sure that we have a consistent approach
What you can do - top tips
If you're responsible for looking after land please check with your manager that you have all the information about the best way to manage it for carbon removal. Look out for opportunities, for example for tree planting in appropriate areas.
You can encourage people in your community to plant trees and to report it on the Million Trees website.
Book Climate Change - Everybody's Business training to learn more about climate change and its implications.
For managers
If you're responsible for land and would like advice, please email climate.change@derbyshire.gov.uk to direct your enquiry to the appropriate colleagues.