Vale of White Horse targets to become carbon neutral

At this week’s meeting of the Vale of White Horse District Council, Leader Cllr Emily Smith confirmed to councillors that the cabinet had agreed the council would aspire to become carbon neutral by 2030 and become a carbon-neutral district by 2045.

This follows the council’s new climate emergency advisory committee’s recommendation that it will aim for a 75 per cent reduction in carbon emissions in the council’s own operations by 2025 and a 75 per cent reduction in carbon emissions in the district by 2030.

The role of the climate emergency advisory committee is to make recommendations to the cabinet on how Vale of White Horse District Council can reduce damage to the global and local environment through its policies and practices.

Cllr David Grant, chair of the committee, said: “With the support of residents and our partners we can make real changes in the Vale.

“While we have set a date for net-zero emissions, this is not enough. What is more important is taking action now to set the local area on the path towards it, backed up by sound research. Which is why we are looking at a stepped approach with carbon reduction targets of 75 per cent first.”

Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council said: “We want to offer residents and local communities and councils aspirational but also achievable targets with the Vale leading the way.

“Achieving the target for a carbon-neutral district will only be achieved through collaboration with residents and local groups but, there is so much knowledge and will to tackle the climate crisis across the Vale I am confident these targets can be achieved.”

The Climate Emergency Advisory Committee meets in public to advise the council’s Cabinet on matters relating to the climate emergency. Its next committee is scheduled for 28 January 2020 and members of the public are invited to attend and speak at the meeting.

You can speak to the committee or ask questions about items on the agenda. To be allowed to speak, you must register with democratic services (contact details below) by 5pm on the last working day before the meeting. Please contact democratic services for more information before registering.

The committee will research ways in which the council can contribute to national and countywide targets on climate and ecological issues and identify sources of external funding relating to the climate emergency.

The council declared a climate emergency at a meeting in February 2019.

This committee makes recommendations on how the council can set a course for the district to help tackle the global and local environment through its policies and practices. It aims to work with and advise and influence partner organisations.