Plymouth 'firmly on track' to become carbon neutral by 2030
The measures were approved on Monday and are a 'generation ahead' of the Government's 2050 target
Plymouth is now firmly on track to become carbon neutral by 2030 – a generation ahead of the Government’s 2050 target.
A series of policy changes and action plans to tackle the climate emergency have received cross-party support from councillors.
They included adding the 2030 net zero carbon target to the Plymouth Plan which sets out the long-term strategy for the city up to 2034.
Net zero is the point where carbon output is cancelled by the removal of the same amount from the environment, for example by using technology to capture it, or through natural processes such as trees absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through their leaves.
The commitment for Plymouth to become net zero by 2030 led by the Labour-run council puts it at the forefront of action to combat climate change, well ahead of the Government’s net zero target of 2050.
The council approved a Climate Emergency Action 2021 with 89 measures to cut carbon across the city at a meeting on Monday afternoon.
Schemes include a feasibility study into a solar farm to power 70 per cent of the city’s households, improving the energy efficiency of more than 300 homes, and starting £96million of sustainable transport initiatives with new walking and cycling routes across the city.
Councillors also approved a Corporate Carbon Reduction Plan 2021, setting out 24 actions to reduce the emissions from city council activity which is responsible for 1per cent of emissions in the city.
The measures include more solar panels, 38 more electric vehicles, and a sustainable travel policy for councillors and staff including the use of electric-powered bicycles.
Labour’s Cabinet member for environment Sue Dann said 70 per cent of the population was fairly or very concerned about the impact of climate change. She told councillors: "The evidence is clear that we have to take action."
In December prime minister Boris Johnson announced a new plan aiming for at least 68 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade, compared to 1990 levels.
Meanwhile the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group, made up of public, private and voluntary organisations, is currently consulting on a Devon Carbon Plan, which has 2050 as the latest date to achieve net zero, with an interim target of 2030 for a 50 per cent reduction below 2010 levels.