Greenhouse gas emissions

The Service is reporting 2,758.4 tCO2e greenhouse gas emissions for the year 2021 / 2022.

The following information supports the stated emissions value.

Organisational information

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is a public body.

Reporting period

The carbon footprint calculation relates to the reporting period 01 April 2021 - 31 March 2022.

Reasons for change in emissions

Over the last 12 months, the Service has calculated its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for financial years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 as a baseline. The Service has also calculated the GHG emissions for the latest financial year (2021/2022) which is reported for the first time in this greenhouse gas emissions report.

The Service has seen a change in our scope one and scope two GHG emissions over the three financial years (please refer to graph in Annex A). When comparing the GHG emissions of 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 a reduction in emissions was observed and this is predominantly linked to the impact of the pandemic; remote working coupled with a degree of reduced building occupation led to reductions in natural gas and electricity consumption in our premises, as well as a reduction in fuel consumption through reduced use of Service vehicles.

There has been an increase in GHG emissions when comparing the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 calculations which is linked to the return post-pandemic and hybrid working. Whilst the 2021/2022 emissions have increased, they have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Quantification and reporting methodology

The Service has followed the UK Government environmental reporting guidance to report its scope one, two and three emissions. Presently it is not feasible to report on all categories that may be relevant within scope three.

Organisational boundary

The Service has used the Financial Control boundary; reporting on sources of environmental impact over which it has financial control.

GHG scope inclusions

The Service has measured its scope one and scope two emissions and a limited measure of our scope three emissions. 

See below for a detailed breakdown of scope inclusions.

Conversion / emission factors used

The Service has applied the UK Government Greenhouse Gas (GHG) conversion factors 2021 condensed set (for most users) – revised January 2022 from BEIS.

GHG emissions country breakdown

The reported emissions are from the Services’ UK operations only; there are no operations in other countries. 

Base year

The Service’s base year is 2019 / 2020.

The base year was selected as it represented the first year for which the organisation has reliable data that is typical of our operation.

Base year recalculation policy

The base year recalculation policy will be to recalculate the base year and the prior year emissions for relevant significant changes which meet the significance threshold of 5% of base year emissions.

Targets

The Service has a green goal to be carbon net zero by 2030 and carbon positive by 2050.

Targets will be set, however, at this time a tolerance of 50% reduction of gross scope one, two and three emissions will be considered as a successful achievement towards our 2050 goal.

Progress this year towards achieving reductions has been focussed on;

• identifying consumption data and the current position
• developing the action plan to align with the ISO14001 standard
• increasing compliance with environmental legislation at Service premises and in operations
• implementing a structure of governance to deliver the green goals
• the introduction of 20 new HGV vehicles to Euro 6 standards
• disposal of older HGV vehicles
• introducing telematics across a number of light and support fleet
• reducing the number of mini-buses from 11 to 4
• identifying and progressing the core reduction projects within Estates.

Person(s) responsible for achieving target(s) and position in organisation

Director of Service Improvement is responsible for the achievement of the target, supported by the Strategic Environmental Board and associated working groups.

Intensity measurement

The Service will use tonnes of CO2e per Full Time Equivalent (FTE) as its chosen intensity measurement for scope one, two and three emissions.

• As of 31 March 2022 there were 1625 FTE’s.
• The intensity measurement for this period is 1.7 tCO2e per FTE.

This is the first year calculating and reporting an intensity measurement, therefore there are no changes to report.

External assurance statement

The Service has not received independent external assurance.

Carbon credits / offsets

None applied this year.

Electricity

Electricity purchased for the Service’s own use or consumption: 2,361.78 MWh

Green tariffs

Electricity purchased is not linked to any green tariffs.

Renewable electricity generation

The Service currently have sixteen on-site solar arrays which can generate and export electricity. This export is not backed by REGOs.

There is also one Combined Heat and Power unit (CHP) which is a gas fired unit that is primarily used for heat generation but also generates electricity which is exported.

Renewable electricity generated from owned or controlled sources (MWh): generation figure not currently available.

Electricity exported to the grid (MWh): export figure not currently available.

Heat generation

The Service has one Combined Heat and Power unit (CHP) which is a gas fired unit that is primarily used for heat generation but also generates electricity which is exported.

The Service has four solar thermal systems installed which can generate heat (for hot water) and twelve (12) air source heat pumps which can generate heat and hot water.

The Service does not currently export heat generation.

A breakdown is provided of the inclusions made within each scope for the calculation of the greenhouse gas emissions for the reporting year.

Scope one

Total metric tonnes of CO2e is 2,225.9

Scope two

Total metric tonnes of CO2e is 501.5

Scope three

Total metric tonnes of CO2e is 31.0

Total reported metric tonnes of CO2e (scope one, two and three) is 2,758.4