Kingston climate targets: 32% progress sounds good until you look at what is left

In 2019, Kingston Council declared a climate emergency and set a target to reach net zero by 2030. Six years later, emissions have fallen 32%. The council presents this as progress. A closer look suggests the target was never achievable and may have been set for political reasons rather than practical ones.

The easy wins are done

The 32% reduction largely comes from national grid decarbonisation (more renewable energy in the electricity supply, which benefits every council) and energy efficiency improvements in council buildings. These were relatively straightforward. The remaining 68% requires changes to private car use, home heating in thousands of homes, and commercial building emissions — all areas where the council has limited direct control.

The transport problem

Kingston is a car-dependent outer London borough. Unlike Hackney or Islington, you cannot easily run daily life without a car here, particularly in areas like Chessington, Tolworth, and Hook. The cycling infrastructure plan helps at the margins but will not fundamentally change transport emissions when the majority of the borough is suburban and poorly served by public transport.

The gas boiler elephant in the room

The vast majority of Kingston homes are heated by gas boilers. Replacing these with heat pumps costs £10,000-£15,000 per home. The council has no programme to support this at scale and no regulatory power to require it. Until national government mandates the transition, Kingston's housing emissions will barely move.

Was the 2030 target honest?

Setting an unachievable target generates positive headlines and demonstrates political commitment. But when the target is inevitably missed, it risks undermining public trust in future climate action. A more honest approach would have been a stretching but realistic target with clear milestones and accountability for missing them.

What is genuinely good

Solar panels on 15 council buildings, the EV charging expansion, the Wild Tolworth rewilding project, and the schools climate programme are all positive steps. The council deserves credit for these. But they are marginal improvements, not a pathway to net zero.

The question for the next council

With elections in May 2026, candidates should be asked: will you keep the 2030 target knowing it will be missed, or will you set a new realistic target with a credible plan?