Action plan launched to make Walsall Council carbon neutral
An action plan to tackle climate change and to make Walsall Council carbon neutral within the next 30 years has been launched.
The authority has announced the first steps that will be taken to help it become a net zero carbon authority by the target date of 2050.
Figures showed that in 2018, emissions from sources such as council vehicles, gas and electricity amounted to more than 17,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
A steering group has been formed and an action plan to look at how these emissions can be reduced and the authority can become greener and more energy efficient.
A climate emergency was declared last September and, at a full council meeting in September a motion was put forward by the opposition Labour group calling for a carbon neutral target of 2030.
But the Conservative administration secured an amendment to push the date back to 2050, which they said was more realistic to achieve.
They said they are confident of achieving carbon neutrality before 2050 and an unexpected outcome of lockdown has seen a drop in electricity use in its buildings – 47 per cent in the Council House and 33 per cent in the Civic Centre.
Council leader Mike Bird said: “We’re doing our utmost to try and reach the figure for this authority – we set a time of 2050 to be as carbon neutral as possible.
“Although we recognise the urgency with this issue, we need to make sure that what we agree is within our ability to deliver.
“There are many people out there who are saying we’ve set a date for 2032, 2028 but unfortunately there isn’t a plan to do that. We want to make sure we don’t fall into that trap.”
Councillor Adam Hicken, Walsall Council’s climate change champion, said: “This is the beginning of our action plan to combat climate change here in Walsall.
“We are one of the first councils to get an accurate measurement of our carbon footprint and we will now develop plans to reduce that considerably.
“The next decade will see a huge change in the way people live their lives, including how they heat their homes and travel to work.
“Walsall aims to be at the forefront of these changes, implementing technologies which will shape our future.
“From solar panels and electric charging points, to better insulated buildings and a green public transport network, we will see a monumental change through to 2050.”
