Somerset West and Taunton
Climate Action Plan

Nationally, the UK has a legally binding target to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. Many local councils have more ambitious targets. There are nearly 400 principal councils across the country: the majority have a net-zero target of 2030. Further information from the Council.

Local net-zero target date

2030

Plan published

September 2020

Plan scope

Plan covers entire local area

Climate emergency declared

May 2019

Working together

We use data on Climate Action Plans fromĀ data.climateemergency.uk

If you have more recent Climate Action Plan information for this area, please contact mySociety atĀ [email protected]

CO2 emissions

It's hard to visualise CO2 emissions. The data talks about 'tonnes of CO2' - but what does a tonne of gas look like? Well, imagine a typical large hot air balloon (almost 3,000 cubic metres in volume). One tonne of CO2 would fill one of these hot air balloons.

Additional local carbon emissions

Carbon emissions embedded in the imported goods we consume locally are typically not counted. However, these goods are produced and then transported here because of our consumer demands. Imported emissions are so big they should not be hidden*.

* Note: Imported emissions are estimated based on the Total UK Goods & Services Greenhouse Gases imported emissions (Defra UK's Carbon Footprint 2016: 353mt CO2 eq) pro-rated based on Local Authority population size and assumed equal per capita consumption of imported goods and services across all Local Authorities.

CO2 emissions in total

580,827 tonnes

People in the local area

155,421

CO2 per person per year

3.7 tonnes

Additional local carbon emissions

808,961 tonnes

Source: BEIS Local Authority territorial CO2 emissions within the scope of influence of Local Authorities (2020).

Local carbon emissions by sector

In getting to net zero as quickly as possible, we need to look at how we do things differently in every sector.

(000t)

2018
2019
2020

High-impact, low-carbon initiatives

Total published on Carbon Copy across the UK: 1044 See all Initiatives

There are some amazing collaborations between local councils, communities and companies. Some examples in/around Somerset West and Taunton:

Somerset E-Scooters

Swapping cars for e-scooters to reduce carbon emissions.

Somerset West and Taunton
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Transport

Avalon Community Energy

Community owned clean energy group for Climate Resilient Somerset

Somerset West and Taunton
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Energy

Eco Cathedral for Climate Resilient Somerset

Driving down the Cathedral footprint to reduce carbon emissions.

Somerset West and Taunton
  • Air pollution
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Carbon emissions
  • Built Environment

Good Vibe Veg

Reducing the carbon footprint of our food supply in Somerset.

Somerset West and Taunton
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Carbon emissions
  • Waste
  • Land Use, Food & Agriculture

Restoring Exmoor's Peatlands

Restoring peatlands on Exmoor to capture carbon, support nature recovery and improve water quality.

North Devon
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Carbon emissions
  • Biodiversity & Nature

Exmoor Woodland Creation

Creating a unique and sustainable woodland using only the best environmentally-friendly practices.

North Devon
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Carbon emissions
  • Biodiversity & Nature
  • Land Use, Food & Agriculture

Somerset Climate Action Network

Enabling the changes needed to bring down emissions whilst adapting to climate change in Somerset.

Bath and North East Somerset
  • Carbon emissions
  • Excessive consumption
  • Flooding & drought
  • Built Environment
  • Energy

Stogumber Woodland Carbon Sequestration

Combating global warming and carbon reduction efforts through woodland creation and maintenance.

Somerset West and Taunton
  • Air pollution
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Carbon emissions
  • Land Use, Food & Agriculture
  • Biodiversity & Nature

Federation of Small Businesses

Reducing carbon with Ruth Lambert from Federation of Small Businesses on the Zero Carbon Tour.

Somerset West and Taunton
  • Carbon emissions
  • Excessive consumption
  • Waste
  • Energy
  • Circular Economy