A peninsula councillor has welcomed Babergh's plans to consider proposals to cut their fleet's carbon emissions by up to 90% – supporting the council's carbon neutral aims.

Cabinet members will consider proposals to move Babergh's vehicle fleet to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), when they next meet on January 7, 2021.

The proposals form a major step in the councils' Carbon Reduction Management Plan, which sets out how net zero carbon emissions aim to be achieved by 2030.

If approved, the move would see a significant reduction in pollutant emissions for the fleet, including up to a 90% reduction in CO2. It would also support a circular economy, as the HVO fuel is produced from sustainable feedstock, including waste cooking oil.

Jane Gould, Orwell ward councillor for Babergh, and a member of the Green Party, told Nub News: "Any action that can be taken to reduce carbon emissions is very welcome and these proposals which are estimated to reduce Babergh and Mid Suffolk's fleet emissions by 90% are particularly welcome.

"We must keep exploring all avenues to tackle climate change at all levels of society, both locally and globally."

Currently, the council's vehicle fleet, shared with Mid-Suffolk, represents 26% of the councils' total CO2 emissions, approximately 880 tonnes per year.

The fleet includes the council's 35 waste lorries as well as some vehicles used by the public realm and housing services.

Moving to the new fuel will initially cost around £50k to Babergh council. An estimated further £56 - £97k per year over the next three years, will also need to be agreed to cover fuel costs

However, by using HVO, lower maintenance costs and longer engine life for the vehicles are expected.

CIL money collected from new development is anticipated to cover most of the initial cost of the two HVO tanks. One would be located at the council's depot at Sudbury.

Cllr Elisabeth Malvisi, cabinet member for environment at Babergh District Council, said: "If approved, this move would be a major step towards achieving the ambitions set out in our Carbon Reduction Management Plan.

"Our fleet enables us to carry out some of our most visible work such as collecting your bin, but it's also one of our biggest polluters.

"HVO fuel provides us with a valuable and almost immediate solution for reducing our emissions, so we can work towards Babergh's bright and greener future."

"Any action that can be taken to reduce carbon emissions is very welcome and these proposals which are estimated to reduce Babergh and Mid Suffolk's fleet emissions by 90% are particularly welcome.

"We must keep exploring all avenues to tackle climate change at all levels of society, both locally and globally."

HVO fuel provides an almost immediate and efficient way to reduce emissions. This is because, aside from slightly increased fuel costs and new tanks, the transition from traditional diesel fuel to HVO requires minimal changes to the councils' existing fleet.

Formal procurement of a fuel supplier would start straight away, with the changeover expected to be fully rolled out by Summer 2021.