Falkirk Council hits major climate target five years early
Falkirk Council has hit a key climate target five years ahead of schedule, cutting organisational carbon emissions by 75% based on 1990 levels. The Council’s 2024/25 emissions figures confirm the reduction - a major milestone in its work towards Net Zero.
Falkirk Council's Climate Change Strategy set out a target of a 75% reduction in emissions, from 1990 levels, by 2030. This target was in line with the Scottish Governments 2030 interim carbon reduction target which has since been replaced by five-yearly carbon budgets.
The early success has been driven by major changes in how the Council manages waste, property, energy usage and transport.
Residual waste from across the Falkirk Council area is now processed at the Earls Gate Energy Centre rather than being sent to landfill, reducing waste-related emissions by 87% in just two years. At the same time, the Council’s switch to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in heavy vehicles, greater use of electric vehicles and more efficient refuse collection routes have significantly cut fleet emissions.
Energy use in Council buildings has also fallen thanks to upgrades such as LED lighting, solar panels, better insulation and air source heat pumps and the wider modernisation and rationalisation of the estate through the Strategic Property Review has also contributed. Over the coming years more investment on energy efficiency works, changing behaviours and the modernisation of the portfolio will continue.
Councillor Bryan Deakin, Spokesperson for Climate Change, said:
Reaching this target five years early shows that we’re not just talking about tackling climate change - we’re doing it.
“The actions we’ve taken are already making a difference, and we’ll keep pushing forward to deliver further cuts in emissions and build a more sustainable future for Falkirk.