Worcester City councillors will next week consider adopting a detailed environmental sustainability action plan, setting out the first steps on the route for the city to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The plan contains 23 actions to be taken over the next two years to reduce carbon emissions in the city.It reflects the objectives set out in the City Council's Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-30.
Actions include grant funding to insulate the homes of lower income families;plans for the decarbonisation of all major Council buildings; steps to improve biodiversity and the introduction of community grants so that smaller groups can take action to reduce the city's carbon footprint.
The plan will be considered by councillors at The Environment Committee meeting on 16 March.
Worcester City Council declared a climate emergency in July 2019 and committed itself to taking action to help the city become carbon neutral by 2030.
Councillor Joy Squires, Chair of the Environment Committee, said: "Our vision is for Worcester to be a carbon neutral city, with a transformation in how we use our resources. We also want our city to be resilient to the impact of the changing climate and to protect and enhance the City's biodiversity.
"Achieving this will be challenging and the City Council cannot do what's needed on its own. Everyone from residents to businesses, the charitable sector and local groups will need to play a part to ensure Worcester becomes a carbon-neutral city.The Council is aiming to lead by example as well as offering support."
The plan sets out actions in six areas:
- Making Worcester City Council carbon neutral
- Reducing carbon emissions in the city so that Worcester can become a carbon-neutral city by 2030
- Developing the city's low carbon economy and ensuring sustainability becomes embedded in the practices of businesses
- Protecting Worcester's natural environment and enhancing its biodiversity
- Ensuring the city is prepared for and able to cope with the effects and impacts of the changing climate
- Reducing Worcester's consumption of resources.
Note to editors
The Environmental Sustainability Strategy for the City of Worcester 2020-2030 was endorsed by the Environment Committee on 27 October 2020 and subsequently adopted by Council on 17 November 2020.
The strategy was unanimously approved with cross party support, following extensive local consultation.
