Net Zero Action Plan performance reports and 2023/24 summary

Net Zero Action Plan performance reports and summary

Net Zero Action Plan (NZAP) Year 1 to 4

Net Zero Action Plan year 1 - 2019/20

Net Zero Action Plan year 2 - 2020/21

Net Zero Action Plan year 3 - 2021/22

Net Zero Action Plan year 4 - 2022/23

Net Zero Action Plan (NZAP) Year 5 - 2023/24

This is a summary of the ‘annual performance report’ which sets out the Councils progress in meeting its ambitious net zero target. For a pdf copy of the latest 2023/24 report, or for any queries please email: Climate.change@bromley.gov.uk

The Net Zero Action Plan Performance Report charts the planned activities of the Council in reducing our organisational emissions. Overall emissions have reduced by 48% from the baseline year (2018/19). In previous years, emissions have consistently decreased. However, during 2023/24 and part of 2024/25 up until December 2024, the Council operated two Civic Centres, Stockwell Close and Churchill Court, concurrently while transitioning operations from one site to the other. This was the driving factor behind a slight increase of just over 20 percent in emissions from year 4 (2022/23) to year 5 (2023/24).

The emissions are measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and from sources under the council’s control (scope 1 and 2).  

For 2023/24, this includes:

  • Buildings - 68 percent of overall emission (2,461.8 tCO2e) (includes gas and electricity consumption).
  • Street lighting - 28 percent of overall emissions (1,143.3 tCO2e)
  • The Council’s Fleet - 0.1percent of overall emissions (5.3 tCO2e)
  • Waste - 0.06 percent  of overall emissions (1.9 tCO2e)
  • Water - 0.1 percent of overall emissions (4.1 tCO2e)
  • Paper - 0.3 percent of overall emissions (11.8 tCO2e)
  • Business Travel - 3.7percent of overall emissions (138.3 tCO2e)

For the NZAP, these are the summary updates made on the 7 priority initiatives:

  • Initiative 1: Street lighting LED upgrades
    The majority of Bromley’s 28,000 streetlights were upgraded prior to this year 5 reporting year. 1,120 LED streetlights were converted in the finance year 2023/24, with an additional 400 lanterns in the process of being converted.
     
  • Initiative 2: Buildings (energy efficiency)
    To realise future cost/energy/carbon savings the Council is progressing energy efficiency improvements of the estate and moving towards the use of low carbon energy sources for heating if feasible and within budgetary requirements.
     
  • Initiative 3: 100 percent renewable energy 
    Energy contracts are in process of being reviewed with new contracts due to be awarded in autumn 2025.
     
  • Initiative 4: Zero Emission Fleet
    We have also seen a 91 percent reduction in emissions from our own owned fleet of 34 vehicles, which includes 5 electric vehicles which accounts for just under 15 percent of the fleet. However, there are also currently 10 hybrids and hence in total just over 40 percent of our owned fleet is either electric or hybrid.
     
  • Initiative 5: Alternative Technologies and Renewables Investment
    We will continue to explore commercial renewable investment opportunities as and when they materialise.
     
  • Initiative 6: Woodlands, parks and greenspaces 
    Through Local Authority Treescapes Fund, the borough has planted 5 micro forests which are approximately 200m2 and 600 trees in size. From 2021 - 2025, the council planted 5000 trees over a 4-year period as part of the Treemendous programme.
     
  • Initiative 7: Certified Carbon Offsets
    The Carbon Management Team will look to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective carbon offsetting credits further into this plan, once all of the above initiatives have been fully appraised.

The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting Tool developed by Local Partnerships, working with the Local Government Association, is used to calculate the Council’s emissions.