Durham County Council, often referred to simply as Durham Council, is a prominent local authority based in County Durham, GB. Established in 1974, the council has played a pivotal role in delivering essential services across the region, including education, social care, and environmental management. With its headquarters in the historic city of Durham, the council serves a diverse population, focusing on community development and sustainable growth. Notable achievements include significant investments in infrastructure and a commitment to enhancing public services, which have positioned Durham County Council as a leader in local governance. The council's core services are designed to meet the needs of residents and businesses alike, emphasising innovation and community engagement. Through its strategic initiatives, Durham County Council continues to foster a thriving environment, making it a key player in the North East of England.
How does Durham County Council's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Business Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Durham County Council's score of 40 is higher than 64% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, Durham County Council reported total carbon emissions of approximately 1.63 billion kg CO2e. This figure reflects the council's commitment to addressing climate change, with a significant focus on reducing emissions across all scopes. The council has set ambitious targets, aiming for a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040, using 1990 levels as a baseline. Additionally, they are striving for Net Zero by 2030, with 80% of this target to be achieved through actual emissions reductions. In 2021, the council's emissions were approximately 44.3 million kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions from mobile combustion accounting for about 9.4 million kg CO2e and Scope 3 emissions from business travel contributing approximately 499,000 kg CO2e. The emissions data for 2022 showed a total of about 36.7 million kg CO2e, indicating a downward trend in emissions. Durham County Council's climate strategy is outlined in their Climate Change Strategy and Emergency Response Plan, which details their long-term and near-term commitments to sustainability and carbon reduction. The council's proactive approach demonstrates a strong commitment to mitigating climate change impacts and promoting environmental stewardship within the community.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | - | 00,000,000 | - | - |
| Scope 2 | - | - | 00,000,000 | - | - |
| Scope 3 | 2,180,720,000 | - | 0,000,000 | - | - |
Durham County Council's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 100% last year and decreased by approximately 100% since 2019, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 14% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Business Travel" being the primary emissions source at 5% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Durham County Council has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

