Falkirk Council has hit a key climate target five years ahead of schedule, cutting organisational carbon emissions by 75% based on 1990 levels.

The council's 2024/25 emissions figures confirm the reduction, a major milestone in its work towards Net Zero.

The early success was driven by major changes in how the council manages waste, property, energy usage, and transport. Residual waste from across the Falkirk Council area is now processed at the Earls Gate Energy Centre rather than being sent to landfill, which has reduced waste-related emissions by 87% in just two years.

-- Advertisement --

At the same time, the council's switch to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in heavy vehicles, greater use of electric vehicles, and more efficient refuse collection routes have significantly cut fleet emissions. Energy use in council buildings has also fallen thanks to upgrades such as LED lighting, solar panels, and air source heat pumps.

Councillor Bryan Deakin, Spokesperson for Climate Change, said: "Reaching this target five years early shows that we're not just talking about tackling climate change - we're doing it. The actions we've taken are already making a difference, and we'll keep pushing forward to deliver further cuts in emissions and build a more sustainable future for Falkirk."