'We're still aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030' says Harborough District Council

Harborough District Council is to step up its commitment to tackling climate change in 2020.
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Councillors reviewed the authority’s newly-updated Climate Emergency Action Plan at a full meeting on Monday (Dec 16).

The council has already backed a growing number of local councils by declaring a Climate Change Emergency.

It’s enforcing urgent measures to become ‘carbon neutral by 2030’.

Harborough District Council is to step up its commitment to tackling climate change in 2020.Harborough District Council is to step up its commitment to tackling climate change in 2020.
Harborough District Council is to step up its commitment to tackling climate change in 2020.

The authority is working with residents across the district in an attempt to slash emissions and combat climate change.

In 2018/19 some 509 homes received energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation.

That will save over 22,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 20-year period.

Collective Switching has also been set up for people.

All residents can now join the council-led 'Switch and Save' scheme - which helps householders switch to cheaper energy tariffs.

Energy companies engage in a ‘reverse auction’, ensuring people can access the lowest energy prices available.

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, the council’s climate change lead, said: “We believe it is incredibly important to lead by example, having already implemented a number of progressive measures.”

He said those steps include:

- new electrical vehicle charging points across the district in council car parks

- choosing Euro VI low-carbon dioxide vehicles in the council’s own fleet

- delivering new council buildings to high-environmental ‘Excellent’ standard.

The council signed the Climate Local agreement in 2013 and adopted a Climate Local Action Plan in 2015.

That’s helped cut carbon emissions by 41 per cent.

Earlier this year the authority backed the Plastics Pledge - which encourages less reliance on single-use plastic.

Cllr Bateman added: “Environmental impacts are now considered in all council business.

“I would urge everyone to become involved.”

He said they could benefit from council initiatives to address climate change issues and tackle fuel poverty.

Cllr Bateman said they offered fully-funded energy efficiency home improvements for needy residents and lower fuel bills.

To find out more about the council’s work on climate change, Switch and Save energy bill reduction scheme and access to fully-funded home loft and cavity wall insulation visit the council’s website https://www.harborough.gov.uk/

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