North Lincolnshire Council sets out ambitious carbon neutral pledge
Council leaders say real change is achievable without sacrificing jobs in the pollution-heavy steel industry
North Lincolnshire Council has pledged to become carbon neutral by the end of the decade.
It has set out an ambitious plan for balancing all carbon emissions and stopping its contribution to global warming by 2030.
Council leaders say real change is achievable without sacrificing jobs in the pollution-heavy steel industry.
Councillor David Rose, portfolio holder for environment, told North Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet about the importance of the goal.
“This touches every single community, every single business and every single resident,” he said.
“It recognises we all play our part in making our area a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable and attractive place to live, work and visit.
“We have a duty as a council to make sure that the environment is at the centre of everything we do.
“We hold the environment in trust for the next generation, and we must protect and enhance it for them, managing the impact of climate change and encouraging others to do the same.”
The council has already cut its emissions by 60 per cent from 2009.
It has saved £12million through measures such as replacing every streetlight with energy efficient LEDs.
The 2030 target puts it ahead of North East Lincolnshire Council, which is aiming to be carbon neutral ten years later.
Council leader Councillor Ron Waltham said:
“This is one of the most important pieces of policy we will be responsible for – it sets a vision which will protect North Lincolnshire now and for future generations.
“We already have an enviable track record when it comes to protecting and enhancing the environment; slashing our carbon emissions in the last decade, planting over 85,000 trees and re-establishing vast areas of urban wildlife habitats – but we can and will go further.
“It embeds environmental protections and enhancements into everything we do and across all that we are responsible for – and is designed to protect and create jobs, taking advantage of new green technologies and the emerging industries.”
Poor air quality and high CO2 emissions are one of the environmental challenges facing North Lincolnshire, according to the report laying out the borough’s green future.
The area is also at risk from increased flooding as sea levels rise and weather patterns change.
Labour leader Councillor Len Foster described the aims as “laudable” in Cabinet, but questioned whether it would have an impact with the massive carbon emissions put out by Scunthorpe’s steel industry.
Councillor Waltham said the council was working with companies to offset the pollution without causing jobs to be lost.
“If we alter the steel-making process to be more environmentally friendly then there would be a lot less jobs, and it’s important to keep those in this town,” he said.
“We will work to offset the steel industry emissions, not get rid of them.”