We received some great news this month when we heard that Reading had made the ‘A’ grade for its climate actions for the fourth consecutive year.
We are one of only 112 towns and cities worldwide to have made the top division in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) league.
This is significant as the CDP list is a widely regarded as holding the world’s most comprehensive data on how companies, cities, states and regions measure, understand and address their environmental impacts.
Only 15% of towns and cities that submitted their information to the CDP in 2024 achieved ‘A’ status which means Reading is rubbing shoulders with the likes of Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Sydney, as well as Edinburgh, Greater London and Manchester in the UK.
I would say Reading is punching well above its weight when it comes to taking climate action but this is because of our early commitment to climate leadership and declaration of a climate emergency.
That dedication has also come from the Council’s partners, communities and Reading’s residents. This interest is currently being showcased in the Reading Climate Festival 2025, which started last Saturday.
The festival features a host of free events which include discussions, tips and information for homeowners, small businesses, schools and all Reading residents.
An event at the Civic Centre on Tuesday evening launched the public consultation on the emerging Reading Climate Emergency Strategy 2025-30. This document is produced by the Reading Climate Change Partnership, of which the Council is a member, and sets out the town’s climate action priorities for the next five years.
You can find out more by registering with the Reading Climate Action Network (ReadingCAN) at: https://readingcan.org.uk/what-i-can-do/individuals/how-to-join/#ways-newsletter.
There are plenty more events coming up in the second week of the climate festival.
These range from getting to know butterflies to climate action for small and medium organisations, and from tours of Reading Hydro to Show Your Stripes Day with the University of Reading on 21 June.
You can find out more about the whole progamme of events and book your free places at: https://readingcan.org.uk/festival25/.
Also coming up next week, on Thursday 19 June, is Clean Air Day which is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Councillor Liz Terry is leader of Reading Borough Council
