Wiltshire is off track for its 2030 net-zero target. A new council report shows county emissions rose 0.7% in 2024, pushed up by waste, domestic heating and the public sector. Wiltshire now sits at 87.1% of 2019 emission levels, while the high-ambition pathway expected 59%. Emissions are still 44.5% below 2005, but the gap to target is wide. The council only directly controls or influences around 30% of county emissions, and it points to national policy and funding as major factors. At the same time, its own building emissions came in 33.9% above plan because decarbonisation work was paused during budget pressure. The end of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has added to the problem. Council emissions fell from 2,662 to 2,028 tonnes CO2e in 2025/26, down more than 82% since 2019. Cabinet members will discuss a new programme of efficiency upgrades, renewables and building work next week.
