Doncaster Council’s 2030 & 2040 climate targets under threat, report reveals

The City of Doncaster Council’s carbon reduction targets are under threat due to “a lack of finance, skills and supply chain, new and existing legislation”, papers reveal.

Doncaster Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and committed to making the borough carbon neutral by 2040, with an 85 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030.

However, according to the first of a series of Strategic Risk ‘Deep Dives’ compiled for the authority’s audit committee, the council’s ability to meet these targets is being “threatened”.

Not meeting these targets risks “delayed or missed opportunities to deliver green economic growth, equality and health benefits, and reputational damage”, the report said.

The report states: “Delivering Net Zero is complex and resource-intensive. The Council must reduce emissions from its buildings, fleet, streetlighting and operations, while coordinating with organisations that manage their own estates and plans. This requires sustained investment, specialist expertise and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing national policy.”

An independent internal audit in 2023 reportedly gave “limited assurance”, highlighting numerous areas lacking capacity to meet the “ambitious” 2030 and 2040 targets.

The report also said: “The Council can directly influence less than 2% of borough-wide emissions, making leadership, influence, and example-setting essential.”

Whilst there are improvements, the report said external factors remain crucial in achieving Net Zero.

“The overall trend is improving,” the report said, “Although the 85% reduction target by 2030 remains challenging, current performance shows strong progress. Based on the earliest available data, the Council’s baseline is 22,967 tonnes of carbon, and by 2024–25 emissions have reduced to 7,443 tonnes — a 68% reduction.”

The council is also progressing with its aim to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA). Despite hopes for the site to become a “sustainable aviation hub”, airports are significant polluters.

In 2025, the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, said that reopening DSA could not be justified during a climate crisis.