Nottingham City Council has committed to becoming a ‘net-zero carbon’ city by 2028, after hitting its 2020 emission reductions goals two years early. The aim builds on the local authority’s pledge to ensure that at least one-fifth of energy procured across the area is sourced from low-carbon facilities by 2020 – a goal it claims it is “on track” to achieve. The City Council took the decision to set the new 2028 target after surpassing its 2020 goal of reducing its overall carbon footprint by one-quarter, against a 2012 baseline, two years early. Overall, the local authority has helped to reduce the city’s carbon footprint by 39% since 2005. This progress has been driven by a sweeping low-carbon strategy covering areas ranging from public transport and community-owned solar schemes, to retrofitting council buildings and housing with energy efficiency technologies. To decarbonise transport, Nottingham City Council has invested in a fleet of hydrogen and biogas buses, a cycle hire scheme and bike storage hubs. It has additionally switched its entire tram network to 100% renewable power and introduced a levy for residents driving their cars to work, with all funds raised through the charge being ring-fenced for public transport projects. Elsewhere, the local authority has retrofitted 400 council properties with energy efficiency technologies and subsidised the installation of solar panels at 4,500 domestic properties – both schemes it will scale up as it strives to achieve carbon neutrality.
Edie 23rd Jan 2019 read more »