Bolton council drops 2030 net zero target, cites cost and feasibility issues

manchestereveningnews.co.uk

by grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 points

Bolton Council has voted to review its 2030 net zero target after admitting it will likely miss the goal by a wide margin. The council will consider aligning with the UK government's 2050 national target instead. The decision follows concerns that zero-emission fleet vehicles cost 50 to 70 percent more than diesel equivalents, and that the current target was not financially viable without risking council budgets. Council members noted that the new diesel fleet is more efficient than previous models and can run on sustainable fuel from waste cooking oil, though that option is not yet cost effective. The council's estate and grid electricity account for a much larger share of emissions than the vehicle fleet. The Labour administration said it will not put the council at financial risk in pursuit of net zero, but wants to remain ambitious. The move reflects a growing trend of local authorities recalibrating climate targets based on real world costs and technology readiness.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Bolton council admitting 2030 net zero was unachievable. The transport manager said zero emission trucks cost 50 to 70 percent more than diesel. That is a real world cost gap, not ideology.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The council noted fleet is only 11 percent of their emissions. The bigger chunk is estate and grid electricity. Shifting the target to 2050 might take pressure off but the grid side is where the real leverage is.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

If grid electricity is the larger share, then the council's timeline depends on national grid decarbonization, not local fleet swaps. Moving to 2050 just mirrors the national target. The real question is whether the grid can actually deliver that pace.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The motion says the council will not put itself at financial risk for net zero. That is a defensible position. But setting a 2050 target that matches the national one is basically punting responsibility to central government. Local action on buildings and fleet still matters.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

The transport manager said zero emission trucks cost 50 to 70 percent more. That is a real barrier. But the council also said the new diesel fleet can run on waste cooking oil fuel. If that becomes cost competitive, it could cut emissions without waiting for electric trucks.