Peterborough City Council's greenhouse gas emissions have risen by half in a year.
According to a report on the authority’s carbon footprint, net emissions were 7,389 tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2022-23 – a 53% increase on the 4,813 tonnes the previous year.
The rise was attributed to the council’s decision in June 2022 to revert from a green electricity tariff to a standard version.
In 2008, Peterborough set out its intentions to become the UK’s ‘environment capital’, before declaring a climate emergency in 2019.
A council spokesperson noted that despite the recent annual increase, emissions have been reduced by 3,148 tonnes CO2e (28.6%) compared to a 2018-19 baseline.
The authority’s successes include securing funding to plant hundreds of new trees and expanding its carbon literacy training offer, with LED lighting soon to be installed in council buildings, the spokesperson said.
They added: ‘To help deliver on our commitment to reach net zero as an organisation by 2030, the council will produce a roadmap outlining the actions it will take to achieve this target, which is set to be published in summer 2024.’
