The falls in carbon emissions seen in 2020/21 were heavily influenced by the Covid pandemic, when lockdowns forced some significant behaviour changes, with many buildings closed and very limited opportunity for car travel.

As the economy fully reopens and we return to a new normality, we expect that WCC emissions in 2021/22 are likely to be higher than those in the unprecedented year of 2020/21. The challenge to achieve our net zero targets remains a significant one, and we are working to retain the reduction in carbon emissions and grow the green shoots of recovery. 

Ongoing work includes focusing on delivering carbon savings through agile working: reduced office working and commuting, better use of ICT, replacing gas heating with electric heating in our buildings, fitting solar PV arrays, and reducing emissions from our vehicle fleet through modernisation, electrification and alternative fuels. Due to our positive actions and the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we expect the footprint in 2021/22 will still show reductions on the pre-pandemic 2019/20 levels.

We are confident that our commitment to net zero carbon and wide-ranging interventions will secure continued carbon reductions over the longer term.

Carbon (all sources)