Colchester City Council publishes several types of environmental reports, mainly focused on greenhouse gas emissions, progress toward climate goals, and sustainability performance. These reports help track progress toward the council’s carbon neutral target and keep the public informed.
Annual greenhouse gas emissions reporting
The council monitors and publishes its greenhouse gas emissions every financial year.
This includes emissions from:
- Gas and electricity used in council buildings
- Fleet fuel consumption
- Refrigerants
- Staff commuting and business travel
- Working from home
- Waste and water use
Emissions are reported in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e).
Annual reporting includes:
- An operational emissions report
- An emissions modelling and indirect emissions report
- A breakdown of Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions
Greenhouse gas reports (detailed annual reports)
Each year, Colchester City Council produces a full Greenhouse Gas Report. This provides detailed analysis, including:
- Methodology and scope
- Organisational boundaries
- Data reliability and data gaps
- Major emission sources
- Progress against the carbon neutral 2030 target
- Actions taken during the year, such as fleet electrification and building improvements
Regular monitoring reports to the Environment and Sustainability Panel
The council presents emissions reports to its Environment and Sustainability Panel. These reports provide:
- Year-on-year emissions comparisons
- Explanations for fluctuations
- Updates on climate projects and operational changes
- Progress toward the 2030 carbon neutral target
These reports allow elected members and the public to scrutinise progress.
Climate Emergency Action Plan progress updates
In addition to emissions reporting, the council provides updates on wider environmental action through:
- Climate Emergency Action Plan progress and achievements
- Mid-year updates on environmental projects
- Annual summaries of climate and sustainability activity
These updates cover work beyond emissions, including biodiversity, green spaces, renewable energy and behaviour change programmes.
We have reviewed the actions in our original plan and developed a new Climate Emergency Action Plan to further embed sustainability within the organisation and the communities we serve.
We are constantly working on our Climate Emergency Action Plan. We will be publishing a new version soon.
Email sustainability.team@colchester.gov.uk.
Biodiversity duty reporting
The Environment Act 2021 introduced strengthened environmental targets to protect and enhance the UK’s natural environment. As part of this, the biodiversity duty on public authorities was expanded to include a duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
To comply with this duty, the council must:
- Consider actions to conserve and enhance biodiversity across all its functions
- Agree policies and specific objectives
- Deliver those policies and achieve the objectives
Our latest Biodiversity Duty Report has now been published.
If you would like to know more, contact sustainability@colchester.gov.uk.