What we are doing

Our Carbon Footprint

Graphic of footprint made up of various sustainability symbols

Tracking Our Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Each year, Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) measures the greenhouse gas emissions we produce, reported in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). This process, initiated in 2018/19, allows us to monitor our progress and adjust our strategies for carbon reduction. Figures are updated annually in March.

Our Reported Data

Here is the data we’ve collected so far:

2019/20: 3,678 tCO2e
2020/21: 3,271 tCO2e
2022/23: 3,289 tCO2e

Improving Our Reporting

In 2023/24, we are reviewing our data collection to:

Enhance the accuracy of historical emissions data.
Create more effective plans for future reductions.
Improve the quality of our annual reporting.

Carbon, Green House Gases and The Carbon Cycle

Understanding Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions are divided into three main categories to show where they come from:

Scope 1: Direct Emissions
These come from sources owned or controlled by you, like:

Gas boilers heating your building.
Fuel used by company vehicles.

Scope 2: Indirect Emissions (Energy Use)
These are emissions produced off-site but used by you, such as:

Electricity for lighting.
Powering computers, devices, or charging stations.

Scope 3: Indirect Emissions (Supply Chain)
This is the largest category, covering emissions caused by your activities but not directly controlled by you, like:

Commuting to work or business travel.
Waste generation and recycling.
The life cycle of products, from manufacturing to delivery.

Example

Imagine ordering a product from Amazon, made in another country. The energy used to produce, package, and transport that product counts as Scope 3 emissions for the buyer or company that purchased it.

Why Reducing Emissions Matters

To understand the importance of reducing emissions, it helps to explore the carbon cycle and its role in global warming. Here’s a quick overview:

CO2e – When emissions are reported as CO2e, this includes the global warming potential of all greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): The most common greenhouse gas, but not the only one contributing to global warming.
Other Greenhouse Gases:
- Methane (CH4): Found in natural gas, decaying food waste, and livestock; 28x more warming potential than CO2.
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Found in synthetic fertilizers; 274x more warming potential than CO2.
- Fluorinated Gases: Found in refrigeration and aerosols; 1,000–10,000x more warming potential than CO2 (depending on the type).