Could Taunton become the UK's first net zero town?
A meeting aimed at the business community is planned for the 25th
Last updated 17th Jan 2024
There's an ambition for Taunton to become the UK's first net zero town - with businesses in the county town urged to work together to make it happen.
There's an open meeting about the idea later this month, to see if firms will sign up to the ambition and what help they'll need.
David Harris-Heffer, who is part of the town's chamber of commerce and runs Vodafone stores across the county, came up with the idea.
He says going green is something firms here are already having to look into if they want to win contracts, adding: "We had EDF at Hinkley Point, JLR at Gravity and Leonardo's at Yeovil and to be part of that supply chain you'll have to have a sustainability plan.
"We have to get on that journey and currently in the latest research only 16 per cent of businesses in Somerset have a sustainability plan in place."
The NHS also has new requirements from suppliers to boost its green credentials from April.
Taunton's Net Zero ambition will involve looking at supply chains, how staff get to work and ways for local businesses to better support each other to reduce how far goods and services are travelling.
Mr Harris-Heffer added: "In Somerset 94 per cent of businesses are micro, between one and nine employees.
"If we could potentially be one of the first towns in the country to be net zero that would be a fantastic accolade. Taunton is perfectly positioned to be that town - we are the town capital of Somerset."
The Net Zero Taunton launch event takes place on Thursday January 25th from 6pm-8.30pm at the town's rugby football club in Hyde Lane.
The event aims to bring together 'like-minded business people to discuss ideas and actions' and look at what workshops are needed to help move the ambition forwards.