READING has been listed as one of 119 towns and cities in the world recognising bold leadership in taking environmental action for the third year in a row.
The Carbon Disclosure Project has published its latest report which commends locations around the globe for their work in tackling climate change.
Those on the A list are recognised for public disclosure of carbon emissions and the publication of climate action plans, with those selected demonstrating leadership throught concerted and effective action.
It is seen as a gold standard of environmental reporting, coming just days after the council published its latest carbon report which shows the town has cut carbon emissions by more than half since 2005.
Reading joins the likes of New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Canberra, and is one of only 25 local authorities in the UK to make the list.
It is the third year in a row that the town has made the A list.
It comes after a number of projects undertaken by the council to cut carbon, including the use of heat pumps and solar panels in its new leisure centres, which saw an 80% reduction in the carbon emissions at Rivermead, and of 57% at Palmer Park.
The publication also follows a number of partner initiatives in the last year, including the installation of a water source heat pump at the University of Reading back in May, and Reading Climate Action Network’s Climate Festival during the summer.
Further initiatives by the council will see carbon-cutting measures put in place for the revamp of both the Civic Offices and The Hexagon theatre in central Reading.
The CDP is a global non-profit organisation which consults comprehensive data on how companies, cities, states, and regions measure and address their environmental impact.
Cllr John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said: “For Reading to feature in the CDP A List for a third consecutive year is a remarkable achievement and testament to the town’s commitment to the environment and tackling climate change.
“The Council declared a Climate Emergency on behalf of the borough in 2019 and we have worked hard with our partners and with the support of residents to see real progress being made.
“We should be proud of what we have achieved so far but we cannot afford to sit back and ease up for a second.”
He explained: “We have no time to lose if we are to reach our ambitious target of a net zero Reading by 2030 and we need everybody on board.
“A little action by everyone can make a big difference so I urge everyone in Reading to step up and do what they can to help protect the environment.”
