Carbon dioxide emissions
A summary of the tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (tCO₂e) attributable to Lancaster City Council’s activities.
1 Organisational information
Lancaster City Council is a Tier 2 Local Authority providing a range of social, environmental and other services to residents in the north of Lancashire, England. Its main address is the Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster LA1 1PJ.
2 Reporting Period
1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019.
3 Quantification and Reporting Methodology
We have followed the methodology recommended in the government’s Environmental Reporting Guidelines (2019), and used conversion factors most recently updated by the UK Government in 2018. The conversion factors used in the preparation of this report are summarised below:
| Activity | Unit | Year | Conversion Factor to Calculate tCO₂e |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100% mineral diesel) | Litres | 2018 | 2.68779 |
| Electricity (consumed in buildings) | Kilowatt hours | 2018 | 0.28307 |
| Electricity (exported to grid) | Kilowatt hours | 2018 | 0.28307 |
| Electricity (used by supermini electric vehicles) | Kilometres | 2018 | 0.04815 |
| Natural Gas | Kilowatt Hours | 2018 | 0.18396 |
| Petrol Cars (Small) | Kilometres | 2018 | 0.15565 |
| Business Travel (Staff owned cars) | Kilometres | 2018 | 0.18064[1] |
Source: HM Government, 2018
4 Organisational Boundary
Only those emissions relating to activities which can be directly controlled by Lancaster City Council have been used in this report. Exclusions are detailed in Section 2.6.
5 tCO₂e Emissions for Lancaster City Council
The Table below summarises the tCO₂e emissions for Lancaster City Council
|
Category |
2018-19 (tCO₂e) |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| SCOPE 1 | ||
| Gas Consumption | 1,116.21 | Excludes residential and commercial properties |
| Owned transport (diesel) | 1,213.52 | Excludes pool cars |
| Business Travel (Pool Cars) | 4.43 | Electric vehicles are recorded under Scope 2 |
| Fugitive Emissions | Not quantified | Emissions from air conditioning in office buildings excluded as it is not possible to differentiate the energy used from other consumption |
| Total Scope 1 | 2,334.16 | |
| SCOPE 2 | ||
| Electricity consumed (Buildings) | 653.48 | Excludes residential and commercial properties |
| Electricity consumed (Electric Vehicles) | 0.37 | None |
| Total Scope 2 | 653.85 | |
| SCOPE 3 | ||
| Business travel (Staff owned vehicles) | 31.52 | Calculations based on an average car size and unknown fuel type |
| Employee commuting activities | Not quantified | n/a |
| Total Scope 3 | 31.52 | |
| Total Emissions (Gross) | 3,019.53 | Exclusions as detailed above |
| Exported renewable electricity reduction | 22.35 | |
| Total Emissions (Net) | 2,997.18 | Exclusions as detailed above |
6 Intensity Measurement
Using the staffing levels as of 1st April 2019, Lancaster City Council emitted 4.62tCO₂e (net) per full time equivalent employee.
7 Carbon offsets
Lancaster City Council purchases no carbon credits or Woodland Carbon Credits.
8 Electricity Generation
Renewable electricity generated from owned or controlled sources: 250.8MWh[2] generated through on site solar PV. This equates to 71tCO2e[3].
Electricity exported to the grid: 78,955.53kWh[4].
9 Changes in Emissions
Lancaster City Council’s previous baseline year was 2008/09 during which emissions attributable to the council were 4,782.28tCO₂e. The emissions total from 2018/19 therefore represents a 37.33% (net) reduction on the baseline figure.
The observed reductions attributable to the council’s buildings has reduced through a re-profiling of the council’s portfolio which has seen the closure of buildings such as St Leonards House and 38 Cable Street. Further reductions have been achieved through the introduction of various energy related improvements at a number of key sites, most notably Salt Ayre Sports Centre.
The reductions in the council’s travel related emissions has been achieved by an improvements in vehicle management assisted by schemes such as vehicle tracking. The council has also introduced pool cars for staff business travel, which also includes two electric vehicles for staff travel.
To enable the council to continue to measure tCO₂e in a meaningful way, 2018/19 will form a new baseline year and will be used to measure future performance.
Conversion Factors (2018); HM Government; downloaded from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2018 on 17/04/2019
Environmental Reporting Guidelines (2019); HM Government; downloaded from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-reporting-guidelines-including-mandatory-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reporting-guidance on 17/04/2019
[1] Average car size and unknown fuel type used
[2] Data for Salt Ayre Sports Centre only included up to 22/12/2018
[3] Any change in emissions resulting from electricity generation will be observed in a reduction in electricity consumed at the applicable sites and only electricity exported to the grid can be offset against the council’s gross emissions. This figure is therefore included for reference purposes only.
[4] Although the figure stated is the most accurate available, the export claimed is calculated quarterly in arrears so does not represent the final figure due.
Last updated: 14 December 2020