Reading carbon footprint cut by almost 50 per cent

The Reading Climate Change Partnership (RBC) report reveals the 49 per cent drop in carbon emissions from 2005-2019 (the most recent year with available data) puts the town in the top five across the UK for reducing emissions.

Recent successful projects to reduce carbon emissions include:

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• Introduction of food waste (has increased recycling rate from 32 to 52 per cent)
• Reading Hydro scheme (will save an estimated 5,600 tonnes of CO2 over 40 years)
• Commitment to the planting 3,000 new trees by 2030 (increasing canopy cover across the borough from 18 to 25 per cent

PICTURED: The Reading Hydro Community Benefit Society

RBC’s lead member for Environment, Planning and Transport councillor Tony Page said: “Our commitment to lead by example is once again reflected in these latest figures, with the council’s cut in carbon emissions now reaching almost 70 per cent over 12 years.

“The temporary effects of the pandemic of course artificially suppressed emissions last year when buildings were closed, but that should not detract from the huge range of initiatives which have helped us make great strides.”

He added: “At the same time, it is sobering to note that the council is responsible for less than 1.5 per cent of Reading’s carbon footprint and that the rate at which the town is cutting emissions will need to double if we are all to achieve the ambitious net zero target we have set ourselves.

“There is little doubt we are headed in the right direction, but the question remains is it fast enough and is central Government investing enough into helping residents, businesses and organisations make the changes they need to?

“There remains much to be done, both as a council and as a town.”

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While the council said the two per cent drop in emissions from 2019-2020 is encouraging, this would need to double for Reading Borough to meet its 2030 net carbon zero target.

The report, ahead of Reading Broough Council's (RBC) Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport (SEPT) committee meeting also reveals the council has reduced its own corporate carbon dioxide emissions by 69.8 per cent between 2008/09 (when it started measuring this) and 2020/21.

This is up from a 63.5 per cent drop in 2019/20.

Covid-19 has played a significant role in the reduction in the past year , due to the closure of offices and public-facing buildings during the pandemic

RBC declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, committing to do all it can to achieve a net zero carbon Reading and a net zero carbon council by 2030.

But the council’s carbon footprint accounts for less than 1.5 per cent of total emissions for the borough, emphasising the role residents, communities, businesses and organisations have to play in helping Reading achieve its net zero target.

Heading up plans to meet the target, the Reading Climate Change Partnership – made up of the council and other organisations, institutes and businesses in the town – has proposed around 150 actions to help achieve this target.

The partnership's report reveals 33 per cent of these have been completed or are on target to be completed by 2030, while 50 per cent are underway but not complete or not on target and 17 per cent have not been started.

Reading Climate Change Partnership co-chairmen Tracey Rawling Church and Professor Tim Dixon said: “We are pleased to see that local actions are having an impact on emissions reductions, but we need to do much more if Reading is to achieve its net zero target by 2030.

“As COP26 has shown urgent action is needed, and it is imperative for everyone in Reading to work together to limit climate change and its impacts.

“It’s so important to remember that no one is too small to make a difference as we redouble our efforts to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.”