Green Masterplan actions

What we are doing

We are playing a leading role in tackling some of the most pressing and urgent actions to reduce carbon and our impacts on the environment.

It has an Environment Programme board, which is accountable for reporting on the organisation's carbon emissions. The board is aligned with the Lincolnshire Council Leaders and Chief Executives Group who provide the strategic overview.

Working together with other public sector partners, including; Lincolnshire Waste Partnership, Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership, Central Lincolnshire Planning Group, Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Flood Risk and Water Management Partnership.

During the next 10 years (2021-2030), we are focusing on three main areas to reduce carbon and our impacts on the environment:

Alongside this, there are many areas where we are making changes:

  • In our buildings and schools, looking at more eco-friendly construction, low carbon technology heating systems, and eco-design standards for new buildings.
  • When we buy things we are looking the opportunities for economies of scale, reducing waste, and purchasing from responsible suppliers.
  • We are reducing our use of paper across the authority.
  • We are looking at our county farms for more opportunities for tree planting.
  • We are supporting staff to make positive low carbon decisions at home (salary sacrifice for home energy efficiency installations).
  • We are working with our pensions provider to explore opportunities to make low carbon investment opportunities for an ESCo.
  • We are giving our staff the best IT support and rolling out Office 365 and video conferencing facilities, reducing the need for travel.
  • We are reviewing how our staff commute – looking at altering work patterns to aid public transport commuting.
  • All our fleet vehicles will be ultra-low emissions by 2050. A minimum target for 2030 should be 20%, however 50% should be achievable.
  • We are reviewing our car lease scheme, removing carbon intensive vehicles and replacing with electric vehicles.  
  • We are working with our waste teams to consider eco-friendly ways of reducing the environmental impacts of Waste Services.

Together with the community, we are:

  • setting up a Lincolnshire Environmental Fund
  • supporting the emerging Lincoln Climate Commission
  • supporting and building resilience across Lincolnshire businesses to the impacts of climate change.

Why a Green Masterplan?

Imagine a world where solutions to reduce carbon and adapt to a changing climate align with the wider aims of businesses, communities and large organisations.

Until recently this might have seemed unlikely, however the announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May in May 2019 to cut UK carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 set a tough and pressing target, focusing efforts in sectors such as waste, transport and energy.

Theresa May stated there was a "moral duty to leave this world in a better condition than what we inherited".

The question now is what might a zero carbon future look like and how might we leave the world in a better condition? Of course we don't have all the answers now, but there are many opportunities to use existing and new technology to give an idea of what it might look like.

Undoubtedly future solutions will be integrated within a region's economy and environmental characteristics, making best use of the resources available and working in partnership with public, private and third sectors.

In Lincolnshire we are well placed to rise to the challenge of net zero, with a broad depth of knowledge across multiple sectors including agri-tech, energy, and education. The Green Masterplan will focus our collective actions on reducing our impacts on the environment and supporting the individual goals of Lincolnshire's communities, businesses and organisations, as well as Lincolnshire County Council's own impacts.

At the heart of the Green Masterplan are our three guiding principles to deliver a greener future. They are:

  • Don’t waste anything
  • Consider wider opportunities
  • Take responsibility and pride

These commitments will steer our actions to achieving net zero.

By not wasting our time, energy, and money we will reduce the need for Earth's resources and ultimately save carbon.

By considering the wider opportunities we'll be able to identify areas where we can work with others to make the most of our actions. Encouraging partners to work together can achieve multiple benefits and is an efficient use of time and money.

By taking responsibility and pride we are carrying out our moral obligation to leave Lincolnshire a better place, acting as custodians for the future.

Aside from our commitments, within the Green Masterplan you'll find data on carbon emissions in Lincolnshire, a look at what's happening across Lincolnshire and an action plan detailing climate actions at the county council.

The principles of the Green Masterplan will remain the same, however as new information, policy or events happen we will review the plan and adapt if necessary.