Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) has announced it is on track with its plan for district-wide emissions to reach net-zero by 2050.
During the council's recent Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, a progress report of the Destination Zero Plan was put forward.
In 2019, MHDC approved a motion to declare a climate emergency and adopted the plan which sets out the aim of achieving net-zero carbon emissions for the council's own operations by 2030, as well as leading the district to be net-zero by 2050 at the very latest.
The latest available data shows that emissions in the overall Malvern Hills District in 2023 were 336.8 ktCO2e. This represents a 34% decrease on the 2005 baseline, which is equal to the average annual emissions of 117,000 cars.
The data also shows that emissions are falling in line with the trajectory to achieving net-zero by 2050.
The progress report also set out some key projects that progressed last year that have helped contribute to this, including:
- Delivery of grant programmes around domestic energy efficiency
- Support for small and medium-sized enterprises in decarbonising
- Supporting low carbon travel through providing electric vehicle charging and promoting active travel
The report also highlights that MHDC's own emissions for 2024/25 were 1,190 tonnes CO2e, this is a 32% reduction on the 2018/19 baseline when the Destination Zero plan was adopted.
Monitoring has revealed that the council's emissions are steadily falling, broadly in line with a trajectory to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.
The Executive Committee also discussed the new version of the Destination Zero plan. The renewed plan focuses on priority actions to be delivered over the next five years to further progress on tackling climate change.
Cllr Jeremy Owenson, Portfolio Holder for Environment at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are really pleased with the positive progress made on reducing carbon emissions. We will continue with our commitment and aim of achieving net-zero carbon emissions for our own operations by 2030, and lead the district to be net-zero by 2050".
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/about-your-council/tackling-climate-change to read more about the Destination Zero Plan.
PUBLISHED: 27 November 2025
