Torridge District Council's carbon footprint more than doubles

Torridge District Council officers said a lack of funding is hampering carbon emission plans

Torridge District Council's carbon footprint has more than doubled in three years, research has found.

A Climate Emergency UK assessment of actions taken by district councils to reach net zero targets placed Torridge 149th out of 164.

Figures showed Torridge emitted 8,011 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2022/23, compared to 3,875 in 2020/21.

Council officers blamed a lack of funding for the high score.

The assessment spoke to single tier, district, county, combined authority and Northern Irish councils across the UK about carbon offsetting plans.

Money problems

Members of Torridge District Council's community and resources committee were told its poor ranking was down to financial issues rather than not having a good plan.

Sustainability and climate change officer Donna Sibley said it is difficult to hit environmental targets when the council has to "scrape together" funds.

Ms Sibley added 2020 was an "odd year" as most people were working from home during the Covid-19 lockdowns, which helped lower carbon emissions.

Measures including a £1.7m bid for government funding to reduce Holsworthy Pool's emissions are being considered by the council.

It is also looking at reducing emissions from its vehicles, but councillors were told there were issues around costs and the district's rural location that complicated this plan.

Green Councillor Peter Hames, lead member for climate change, said the council needed to speed up its action plan.

However, Independent Councillor Chris Leather said reaching net zero by 2030 was "a pipedream" and called carbon offsetting "a con" that the council would have no choice but to sign up to.