NEW GOVERNMENT figures show Reading has seen the 12th biggest reduction in carbon emissions in a ranking of every local authority in the country.
Carbon emissions in Reading have fallen by 57% in 18 years, according to newly published government figures.
The borough has been in the top five percent of local authorities for emissions reductions as a result of work to improve its carbon footprint.
It comes as Reading Borough Council continues to progress with major projects to reduce its own carbon footprint and working with partners to work towards a net zero borough.
Figures recently published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) show that Reading’s CO2 emissions, within the influence of the local authority, fell by 57% between the baseline year of 2005 and 2023 – the most recent data available.
This is a further four percent reduction against 2005 and represents a nine percent improvement on 2022 emissions.
Reading has once again performed well against the other 383 council areas, when considering emissions within local authority influence, with only 11 performing better.
This put Reading ahead of other Berkshire councils and several larger authorities such as Bristol, Brighton, and Oxford.
Reading also recently received confirmation that it is among the top performing towns and cities globally and nationally, receiving the CDP ‘A’ rating for climate action for the fourth consecutive year.
Only 20 towns and cities in the UK, and 122 globally were awarded this grade.
Reading was also recently considered a top performing authority for action on ‘buildings and energy’ by Climate Emergency UK.
The Council’s own carbon footprint has fallen by 72.7% since 2008/9 and it is continuing to work on several major projects to maintain that downward trend.
These include the replacement of gas heating at the Civic Centre, as well as green heating and design as part of the new Hexagon theatre design, and a project to create a zero-carbon depot at Bennet Road.
At Reading Buses’ depot, the council and Reading Community Energy Society are working together to cover the entire depot roof with solar panels, and f ast chargers have also been installed to service the 24 new electric buses which are due to start running on the 17 and 21 routes later this year.
Reading Climate Change Partnership, of which the Council is a key member, is inviting comments on the draft of the borough’s Climate Emergency Strategy 2025-30, from anyone who lives, works, studies or spends leisure time in Reading, as its final stage in the year of climate engagement.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “The latest figures show that Reading’s commitment to taking positive climate action continues to drive down the borough’s carbon emissions.
“It is only through organisations, businesses, communities and residents working together that Reading has achieved a 57% cut in emissions and maintained its position as 12th in the country for carbon reduction.
“The Council is leading by example by delivering several major projects to decrease its own carbon emissions, including the current works at the Civic Centre and the Hexagon.
“However, we all need to keep up the momentum in the face of rising temperatures, wetter winters and extreme weather conditions occurring more frequently.”
