READING Borough Council has said that the town must “accelerate” action if it wants to meet its ambitions for achieving its net-zero carbon target by 2030.
The Reading Climate Change Partnership (RCCP) has warned that new tangible commitments to taking action must be made.
The announcement comes just days before the fourth anniversary of the council declaring a climate emergency on behalf of the town in the face of continued climate change.
A new climate programme will also invite residents to contribute their thoughts on how the council can work to further improve its climate plan in March.
While Reading has boasted the fourth largest cut to its overall carbon footprint of all of the 374 local authorities in the UK, the RCCP is urging further steps be taken.
Reading as a whole has reduced its carbon footprint by 55% since 2003, with the council leading the way with a 71% reduction to its footprint in the past 13 years.
RBC’s footprint currently contributes to just 1.5% of the borough’s overall emissions.
Individuals can make small changes, with the council suggesting the use of public transport or self-powered travel in lieu of driving and reducing food waste.
Residents can also lower energy use, where possible, reduce meat consumption, and increase rates of re-use and recycling.
Tony Page, RBC’s lead councillor for climate strategy and transport said: “Despite the impressive local figures, the fact is that our town needs to significantly step up our efforts on cutting emissions.”
He explained: “The challenge remains to mobilise individual residents, communities, private businesses and other organisations to act and take decisions which make a difference, no matter how small.
“It is apparent that net zero is not something any council can achieve on its own, which means always trying to find new and innovative ways of raising the profile of climate action and keeping it at the forefront of people’s minds so that it shapes and influences the choices people make every single day.”
He continued: “Having invested £1 million in heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon emissions of its new leisure centres in 2022, the Council has reaffirmed its commitment in its most recent budget proposals.
He also explained that the £26 million investment into improving bus services as well as more than £4 million on energy saving measures, would encourage a move towards net zero.
Tracey Rawling Church, co-chair of the Reading Climate Change Partnership said: “Making Reading a net zero, climate resilient town will require the support of everybody who lives, works or studies here, working together to not just reduce our own impacts but collaborating to create new systems and learn new ways of doing things.”
The climate pilot programme will take place over a series of discussions from 9.30am-11.30am and 12.30pm-2.30pm at the Town Hall on Tuesday, March 21.
A further session will take place at Reading Biscuit Factory on Wednesday, March 22, from 6.30pm-7.45pm.
Sessions last around 2 hours, and participants will be paid for their time.
Full details are available via: reading.gov.uk/climate-and-pollution
