Partnership innovation to tackle climate change

Identifying greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to councils’ response to climate change and to meeting net-zero targets. Only when emissions have been identified can councils decide where to target interventions and provide decision makers with the evidence required to support action.

Innovation Zone at the LGA Conference

On 5 July, Local Partnerships will be on the climate change panel in the Innovation Zone at the LGA Conference in Bournemouth. The Innovation Zone is a lively, creative space designed to be a hub where conference attendees can find the most interesting ideas. We will be showcasing our free tools for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, together with our partner Cambridgeshire CC.

The greenhouse gas accounting ‘Tool’ and the Waste Emissions ‘Calculator’ can be downloaded from the Local Partnerships website

Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool

Waste Emissions Calculator

Local Partnerships developed the Tool in 2020 with Local Government Association (LGA) grant funding, following input from (the then) BEIS and the Carbon Disclosure Project. Based on the international standard for greenhouse gas accounting, the GHG Protocol, the tool uses the BEIS (now DESNZ) emissions factors, which are updated each year.

The Calculator was developed by Cambridgeshire CC and University College London, with funding from the LGA net zero innovation programme, and was launched in January.

Downloads

More than 270 councils have downloaded the Tool from the Local Partnerships website, and, since its launch, the Calculator has been downloaded more than 80 times. Both are iterative documents in that we encourage open dialogue and feedback from user councils, asking them to let us know what they want to see added to them.

The Tool covers Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, including detailed guidance on reporting Scope 3 emissions, which can be 60-80% of a council’s emissions. These emissions stem from purchased goods and services, employee commuting, working from home, leased assets, and other sources. The Calculator then encompasses more detailed accounting options related to waste, as emissions linked to the collection, disposal, and treatment of waste can often be 30-40% of a council’s total emissions.

This work is a true collaboration, showcasing the best of what the public sector can and is doing to address the climate crisis. Don’t miss the opportunity to come and hear about these free tools, which can help councils meet their net zero targets.