People across Leicestershire still have time to help shape Leicestershire County Council’s ambitious net zero plans.
The authority has a target reduce its overall carbon emissions to zero by 2030 as an organisation and then help Leicestershire become carbon neutral by 2045.
To help achieve that the council needs the views of residents, businesses, district authorities, universities and others to try to make these targets a reality.
The action plan sets out the scale of the climate emergency, declared in Leicestershire in 2019, and the areas where steps must be taken to mitigate climate change locally.
The five net zero goals are:
- reducing carbon emissions generated by transport
- reducing energy use in buildings – plus improving energy efficiency and adding new renewable energy generation
- supporting businesses to go green and grow the low carbon economy
- supporting communities to tackle climate change
- increasing the removal and storage of carbon in natural systems like soil and forests
The consultation is open until 26 July and people are encouraged to share it with their friends, family and colleagues to ensure every person who lives or works in Leicestershire has a chance to have their say.
A series of net zero roadshows is taking place at country parks, heritage sites and libraries across the county in July, where people can find out more about the council’s net zero ambitions. Visitors to the roadshows will be able to make a pledge about what they can do to help towards net zero, vote for their most important net zero theme from the action plan and take part in the consultation.
The dates of the roadshows are:
Sunday 10 July – 10am-2pm – Watermead Country Park, King Lear’s Car Park
- Monday 11 July – 10am-2pm – Bosworth Battlefield, Courtyard
- Monday 11 July – 3pm – 5pm – Hinckley Library
- Tuesday 12 July – 10am-2pm - Snibston Colliery Park, café entrance
- Tuesday 12 July – 3pm – 5pm – Coalville Library
- Tuesday 19 July - 10am-2pm - Beacon Hill Country Park, lower café entrance
- Tuesday 19 July - 3pm – 5pm – Loughborough Library
- Wednesday 20 July – 10am-1pm – Oadby Library
- Thursday 21 July – 10am–1pm – Market Harborough Library
There will also be competition where young people can win a prize for coming with the best ideas to make Leicestershire more ‘climate friendly’.
Getting residents’ views and ideas on our net zero ambitions is crucial, as the actions implemented will be far-reaching and we need to make sure they are achievable.
By having your say, you’ll be helping to shape a cleaner, greener and healthier Leicestershire for future generations.
Person:Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agendaThe council has also teamed up with Participation People – specialists in finding out the views of young people – because the council is especially keen to hear from young people aged 7 to 25 and seek their views on how Leicestershire can become climate friendly.
Copies of the questionnaire in other formats are available by emailing NetZero@leics.gov.uk
To learn more about the net zero ambitions and to fill in the survey, please visit the council’s net zero web page.