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# Council cuts carbon emissions by 43% since 2019 but set to miss net 2030 zero targets
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/council-cuts-carbon-emissions-but-set-to-miss-net-2030-zero-targets/
- Published: 2024-11-14T08:12:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:30:25.000Z
- Description: Suffolk County Council has reduced its direct carbon emissions by 43% since declaring a climate emergency in 2019 but faces challenges meeting its 2030 net zero target.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Our Environment, Councils, #article, Suffolk County Council, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**Why it matters:** The figures demonstrate significant progress in the council's climate commitments while highlighting the complex challenge of reducing indirect emissions, which make up 65% of its carbon footprint.

**The big picture:** A new report to be presented to the council's Scrutiny Committee on 21 November shows:

- Direct emissions from council buildings, vehicles and street lighting have fallen 43% since 2019.
- This rises to 75% when accounting for the switch to renewable electricity.
- The council ranks among England's top three county councils for direct emission reductions.

![Entrance to Endeavour House, the Suffolk County Council office building](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1722118180-endeavour-house-suffolk-county-council-jpeg-12.jpg)

Suffolk County Council has reduced building energy use by 25% since 2019 Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)

**By the numbers:**

- Street and traffic lights: 57% reduction
- Council vehicles: 50% reduction
- Building gas and oil use: 37% reduction
- Staff commuting: 30% reduction
- Building electricity use: 25% reduction

**Yes, but:** The council faces bigger hurdles with "Scope 3" emissions – indirect emissions from areas like home-to-school transport and staff using their own vehicles for work. These make up nearly two-thirds of total emissions and are projected to fall by only 48% by 2030.

**The bottom line:** "Although our latest report suggests that we are not currently on course to meet our net zero targets across all scopes, as new products, services, and opportunities become increasingly available, I think greater reductions will be achievable," said Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality.

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