An ambitious blueprint setting out how residents, businesses and other groups can work together to help make Leicestershire a net zero carbon county by 2045 has taken a big step forward.
Following a consultation, Leicestershire County Council has updated its plan after almost 1,400 people had their say on the draft this summer.
The council is already more than 70 per cent of the way towards the goal of becoming a net zero council by 2030 and wants to team up with others to make the county-wide target a reality.
Priority next steps for action include:
- Delivering the Sustainable Warmth Programme to improve energy performance of homes, reducing emissions and fuel poverty
- Working with partners to develop a new programme of business support for carbon reduction
- Generating local renewable energy through the development of Quorn Solar Farm and successful rollout of Solar Together Leicestershire, to provide more than 1,000 households with solar panels
- Working with partners to reduce the carbon impact of food production, distribution and waste through the Sustainable Food Plan.
- Bringing organisation, businesses and residents together to tackle climate change through the Leicestershire Climate and Nature Pact
- Supporting communities to take action through the SHIRE Environment Grants programme
The council has also developed the 2030 Net Zero Council Action Plan to help strengthen the authority as a leader in tackling climate change.
Since 2008, we’ve reduced our carbon emissions by over 70 per cent, and we’re on track to reach our target of becoming a net zero council by 2030 – cutting carbon, reducing waste and boosting biodiversity is built into our services.
Despite all this, we cannot be complacent. There is a huge challenge ahead if we are to meet our ultimate goal – to be a net zero county by 2045.
We can’t do this alone. We need a team effort, and our updated plan sets out how we are facing the challenge by encouraging our residents, partners and businesses to help shape a greener future for the county, and for generations to come.
Person:Councillor Blake Pain, Cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda
The updated plan was discussed by Cabinet on Tuesday 25 October, and will now go to Full Council in December for final approval.
The Net Zero Leicestershire Strategy and Action Plan, as well as a summary of the consultation, can be viewed online.