Carbon counting in Darlington

Initial results show that the council’s land is sequestering 1,192 tonnes of CO2 annually. This represents almost 20 per cent of the authority’s latest reported emissions and is expected to increase further once the soil sequestration data is added and additional tree data is complete. These results will form an essential part of the council’s carbon calculations as part of its aim to become carbon neutral by 2040. 

In 2019, the council passed its first climate emergency declaration, committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, in line with government targets.  

In 2023, the council reaffirmed its climate emergency declaration, but recognising the increasing urgency for action, brought forward the date to 2040. It also added increased emphasis on bringing the rest of the borough along with the council and is tracking wider borough emissions in the same way as council emissions. 

The council has a target of 40 per cent carbon emissions reduction every five years until 2040. So far, it has reduced its emissions by more than half from baseline levels. This trajectory, however, will still leave around 1000 tonnes of residual emissions to offset each year. 

Other ways need to be found to offset this carbon – the findings from the survey show that the carbon sequestration from council land will make up for the 1,000 tonnes shortfall in its carbon calculations.  

Origin Amenity Solutions was the company appointed to study the carbon sequestration potential of the land holdings. Landscape & Environmental Service Ltd analysed the carbon sequestration of the land using its carbon audit methodology specifically developed for green infrastructure. The carbon audit measured the council’s carbon footprint against the natural process of carbon accumulation in growing vegetation and soil. 

The land surveyed included grassland, cultivated land, woodland, grass verges, and individual trees as well as trees that have been planted as part of the council’s ambition for 100,000 trees by 2031. 

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for Economy said: 

We have already made good progress towards our carbon neutral ambitions – reducing our carbon emissions by more than half since 2010. In our strategy we are aware we need to use carbon offsetting to reach our target by 2040. This means looking at alternative ways to reduce our carbon footprint and starting close to home with our own land is an ideal fit. 

These are exciting times, and I am pleased to see that we are taking the lead by looking at different areas where we can make carbon savings and gains towards achieving our ultimate goal of reaching carbon neutral by 2040.” 

Councillor Libby McCollom, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for Local Services, added:  

“We have learned a lot through this survey including how much we have underestimated the amount of carbon already stored in our land and how this can be increased further by our ongoing ambition to plant 100,000 trees by 2031. We have also taken on board recommendations on how we can improve our carbon sequestration.

In addition, we are also looking at other ways such as using different mixes of grass and clover seeds to enrich what we already have. We are also looking at working further with experts in this field and, through collaboration, with local educators, to nurture the experts of the future.” 

The full survey results are available in the Darlington Report 2024.

This work will contribute to the council’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2040. This pledge covers all service areas, and the council aims to encourage residents and businesses to join it on the journey towards a more sustainable future. More details are available at on Darlington Borough Council's website.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]