Summary
The climate crisis requires individuals and organisations of all sizes to reduce their carbon emissions towards net zero. Heddon-on-the-Wall Parish Council are assessing our own climate impact and identifying and implementing measures to reduce our carbon emissions. Our carbon footprint comes mainly from the electricity and gas we use in our buildings.

Parish Council Baseline Carbon Footprint 2024
We have assessed our carbon footprint for the Community Library using information on our utility bills. Our carbon footprint for 2024 is 3396 kgCO 2 (2705 kgCO 2 from our gas usage and 691 kgCO 2 from our electricity usage).
We plan to assess the carbon footprint for the Knott Hall using the same method.
You can calculate your own carbon footprint here and find out which changes can have the biggest impact:

https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

Working Towards Net-Zero
In March 2025 we applied to Northumberland County Council Climate change fund for a grant to cover the cost of professional assessments of our two buildings. We were successful in this application and appointed Groundwork to perform the assessments.
In July 2025 a team of 2 specialists from Groundwork visited Heddon to survey the buildings. They used 3D scanners to create a model of the buildings, coupled with information about building usage to calculate the theoretical energy use and carbon
footprint. This matched data from the utility bills. They could then calculate the impact of different potential improvements both in carbon and financial terms. Their findings are presented in two reports - see below.
In March 2026 we replaced all of the lights in the community library and offices with energy efficient LED lights as the next step on our journey towards net zero.
We plan to investigate the structure of the flat roof to assess the suitability for additional insulation and solar panels. We also plan to move from gas heating to electric heat pump when the current gas boilers reach the end of their useful life.
The Knott Hall currently has energy efficient LED lights in 90% of the building. The Knott Hall Management Committee plan to upgrade the remaining lighting in 2026. They also plan to improve insulation in the main hall, supper room and green room.