Council set to delay net zero target to 2045

Under the new plan, Cornwall aims to meet 100% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2035

Cornwall Council is set to delay its ambitious net zero target by 15 years, shifting its goal from 2030 to 2045.

The move follows advice from council officers and was discussed at a meeting of the sustainable growth scrutiny committee.

The committee heard that Cornwall's emissions have reduced by 2–3% annually since 2019, far below the pace needed to meet the original 2030 target and a report stated this "illustrates the scale of challenge we collectively face to decarbonise the economy."

The revised target will now go to the council's Liberal Democrat/Independent coalition cabinet for approval, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Under the new plan to reach net zero by 2045, Cornwall aims to meet 100% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2035, plant 8,000 hectares of trees, and reach a 65% recycling rate by the same year.

It also targets Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of C for all private rented and council housing stock by 2030.

The council also wants to have an emissions reduction rate of 90 per cent by 2040, with 70% by the original target of 2030.

The projected 2045 target for Cornwall achieving a fully net zero energy system is five years ahead of the UK's legally binding target.

'Reality check'

Mark Holmes, head of environmental partnerships and climate change, said: "We said at the outset that 2030 was an ambitious target that may well prove impossible, but it was felt it was better to go faster and see what opportunities that might unlock.

"We have unlocked around £250m of investment into Cornwall due to the action we've taken."

Cllr Laurie Magowan said: "Initially I was disappointed... but I've come to the conclusion that aligning with international and national recommendations, science and policy to push this back to 2045 is the right thing to do."

Cllr Peter Channon added: "We've had a reality check... Cornwall is not an economically sound county. People can't afford it and this must be taken into account."