Published: Thursday, 3rd February 2022
The Royal Borough of Greenwich declared a climate emergency two years ago and agreed to set an ambitious target to reach net zero carbon emissions 20 years ahead of the national target.
Our carbon neutral plan is now live after being formally adopted by Council. It sets out what changes we’ll make and what actions are necessary to make sure we reach our ambitious target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030.
Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said:
“The council can’t solve climate change alone. COP26 showed us that there is an urgent need to act and work together. It is essential that residents, businesses and organisations take shared ownership of the plan too so we can work together towards net zero.
“Climate change is becoming an equality and social justice issue as the negative impacts are likely to affect our elderly, vulnerable and poorer residents the most. But if we take action now and lower our emissions, we will all be able to benefit from warmer homes, cleaner air and lower energy bills.”
Cllr Sarah Merrill, Cabinet Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport, said:
“We are leading on a range of measures to reduce our emissions including a trailblazing scheme to install heat pumps on council estates – a low carbon alternative to traditional boilers, upgrading our streetlights to LEDS, making our schools and public buildings more energy efficient and much more.
“If you’d like to know how you can make a difference sign-up to our Climate Change Network.”
Progress we have already been making:
- procuring 100% green electricity for council buildings
- building 750 low or zero carbon council homes
- replacing 20,000 streetlights with modern LEDS
- creating safer routes for walking and cycling
- creating controlled parking zones to discourage car use
- installing electric vehicle charging points
- planting thousands of extra trees.
The plan which was formally adopted by the Council on 24 November 2021 includes actions we will take and how it will facilitate wider change including:
- all council homes to be heated and powered by non-fossil fuels
- heat networks to serve 13,000 homes
- a 35% reduction in municipal waste and a recycling rate of 70%
- a 45% reduction in car use.