Norwich City Council has released a paper that outlines how the council has significantly reduced its carbon emissions over the course of the last fifteen years.
The report to the Climate and Environment Emergency Executive Panel outlined how the last year has seen a 7% decrease in carbon emissions, alongside a reduction of two thirds since 2008. This equates to seven million kilograms of carbon, equivalent to driving a car 32 million miles.
With the council officially declaring a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2019, this paper shows the progress that the council is making in reducing its carbon emissions, thanks to its implementation of an ambitious plan. Projects include steps being taken to ensure that the City Hall is run with as little environmental impact as possible, with this also seeing the installation of 155 solar panels, as well as an air source heat pump. Boiler upgrades are also set to improve efficiency and save around 50 tonnes of carbon per year.
Carbon savings have also been made thanks to the council’s use of 10% renewable energy suppliers, new solar and battery storage, and implementing new energy efficiency lighting in council owned properties.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Cllr Emma Hampton, said:
“The council understands it has a key role to play in tackling the climate crisis, both in reducing our own impact, but also acting as a leader for the city. I’m proud of the ambitious actions we have taken as a council to cut carbon emissions and to see a two-thirds reduction is really encouraging.
“But we can’t get complacent and will need a clear blueprint for the city council [to] reach net zero emissions by 2030. I look forward to sharing our updated plan soon.”
With the success so far, it is imperative that the council builds on the work being done and this can be achieved through the new, refreshed Carbon Management Plan.
