Tuesday October 30, 2023
For immediate release
Climate strategy sets direction for
greener future
A climate change strategy has been adopted by Charnwood Borough Council to help reduce emissions and lead local communities to a greener future.
The Climate Change Strategy 2023-30 sets out how the Council will work in partnership with communities, residents, organisations, and businesses to reduce emissions and help look after the environment. It also references the Council’s existing efforts to reduce its own carbon footprint.
The strategy was drawn up following a consultation exercise earlier this year.
It comes as a motion to declare a Climate Emergency will be put before Full Council on Monday, November 6.
Cllr Louise Jones, Lead Member for Climate Action, Net Zero, Property and Assets, welcomed the adoption of the strategy and will be putting the motion before Council at Loughborough Town Hall.
Cllr Jones said: “The Council is committed to leading Charnwood communities towards a brighter, greener future and this strategy will help us achieve that.
“It sets out how we will reduce our own impact on the environment and places great importance on partnership working to tackle climate change.
“We will continue to reduce our own emissions and strongly encouraging others to do the same. The issue of climate change and global warming cannot be ignored.”
Cllr Laurie Needham, leader of the Green Party on the Council, said: “People are becoming more aware of the severity of climate change and how it effects our communities. People can make changes to their everyday lives but we also need all levels of government to show action and leadership if we are to achieve net zero. I’m very pleased to see this motion come to Council next week, and hope that it can be supported by all parties.”
The Council has already taken steps to reduce its impact on the environment. Since 2018, the Council has reduced net carbon emissions related to its operations by over 30 tonnes. It has also planted 14,000 trees at Hathern, introduced more electric vehicles to its fleet and is using more renewable electricity.
It is currently installing electric vehicle charging points in Sileby and Anstey car parks and has worked with other councils to help homeowners save money on solar panels.
The Council’s climate change strategy will continue this work and is split into seven themes:
Transport
Planning, Land Use and Biodiversity
Buildings and Heating (energy)
Resources including Food and Waste
Business and Economy
Governance and Finance
Partnership and Communication
The strategy sets out the Council’s aims to replace its petrol and diesel vehicles with electric vehicles and reduce energy consumptions in its buildings and properties.
It will also encourage residents and businesses to recycle more and reduce energy.
In addition, the Council will work with other councils to secure more electric vehicle charging points in the borough and help homeowners access Government support to make homes more energy efficient.
The full strategy can be found on the Council’s website.
The Climate Emergency motion being put to Full Council can be found here.
You can keep up to date with the latest information from the Council by signing up for our email newsletters: charnwood.gov.uk/alerts.
ENDS