READING Borough Council has released its latest figures on carbon footprint reduction and climate impact as a new five-year plan has been put forward.
A new report shows that the council’s carbon footprint has been cut by 74.3% since 2008/09, and a fall in its carbon emissions with a 57% reduction since the 2005 baseline.
The figures are being reported to members of the Council’s Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport (SEPT) committee, who are also being asked to adopt the new Reading Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan 2025-30 on behalf of the authority.
The council’s greenhouse gas emissions have been reported annually since 2008/09 and although they only represent 1.2% of the borough’s emissions, they are part of how the authority aims to lead by example.
This summer, Reading was confirmed to have retained its place on the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) ‘A’ list of cities taking ‘bold’ climate action–one of only 122 cities worldwide, and 20 in the UK, to achieve this level.
The Reading Climate Change Partnership carried out a year of climate engagement to develop the new Reading Climate Emergency Strategy 2025-30, the latest of the its regular five-year plans.
It focuses the six key aspects: energy and heat; travel and transport; water; beyond waste; nature and open spaces; and food.
Members of the planning committee will be asked to adopt the strategy at a meeting on Wednesday, November 19.
The council also continues work on major projects aimed at making some of the town’s most key features more environmentally-friendly.
These include ongoing development of The Hexagon, the Civic Centre, and a zero-carbon depot at Bennet Road.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “Reading is performing well in terms of reducing carbon emissions, both as a borough and as a Council.
“The borough has seen the 12th largest reduction in emissions out of 374 UK local authorities since 2005 and has lower per capita emissions than the south-east and UK averages.
“The Council’s carbon footprint has fallen by 74.3% since 2008/09 and there are some major projects taking place at the Hexagon, Civic Centre and Bennet Road which should see the pace of improvements pick up even more.
“As well as being better for the environment, these projects help improve air quality for residents and save the Council, and therefore Council tax payer, money on fuel and energy bills.”
“Thank you to all the residents, businesses, charities and community organisations in Reading who play an important role in improving our environment. It is also important to note that the Council’s emissions only account for 1.2% of all of Reading’s, which is why net zero can only be achieved through a sustained collective effort.
“We have seen the effects of more regular extreme weather caused by climate change both globally and locally and recognise that there is still much to do. But we have seen that by working together we really can make a difference.”
