1 - Leading by example
We strongly believe that in order to ask others to make the necessary changes to their organisations and lives, we must be seen to be leading on making these changes ourselves. By seeking to set ever higher standards, we can offer advice and share best practice to make it easier for others to follow, signposting to other leaders along the way.
Delivery update and future areas of focus
Carbon footprint and emission reduction pathway
- Scope and accuracy continue to improve which has tended to increase the emissions that we count. However, the 2022/23 report shows a continued progress towards our internal targets for scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions against an agreed baseline
- Looking ahead: Continuing to cut emissions at our current rate will become more challenging over time. To make sure we achieve our goals, we'll need a clear plan which includes costs and milestones to measure our success. Plans are being developed for each of the council’s key buildings as an essential first step during 2024.
Training
- In 2022, carbon literacy training was introduced across the council, including councillors, with good attendance. Cheltenham Borough Council directors attended a senior leaders training event, and our learning and development team delivered a range of training sessions to a cross section of officers
- Looking ahead: Working with learning and development, we plan to:
- include climate change as part of our induction process and
- provide targeted training interventions/modules to officers and elected members when gaps are identified
Best practice case studies
- Using our own impact assessment to prioritise and focus on sustainability, the CO2e emissions associated with the ice rink event were reduced by 98.7 percent.
- Looking ahead: We're working on a Cheltenham events strategy to improve the sustainability of festivals and events held across the borough
Proposed actions
2020-2023
Report our carbon footprint annually and encourage others to follow suit. Endeavour to be more thorough and precise over time and include more of our impact year on year. (Internal)
Commit to lobbying higher levels of government for stronger climate action and greater support to local authorities to help them make a difference. (Internal)
Introduce compulsory ‘carbon literacy' training to the council and partners and commit to 100 percent of the council’s officers, staff and elected members gaining a carbon literacy certification. (Internal)
Develop case studies to share our experience in implementing climate initiatives. Sharing lessons learned and success stories will help others learn from our actions, replicate or ideally do better. (Internal)
2024-2026
Use our position as ‘The Festival Town’ to drive change through the development of a more sustainable and carbon friendly events strategy. (External)