An action plan has been introduced as to how Ceredigion will become a net zero carbon Local Authority.
This comes following Ceredigion County Council’s pledge during a full Council meeting in 2019 to reduce emissions and achieve net zero carbon by 2030.
Further to this, on 5 March 2020, Ceredigion County Council declared a global climate emergency, committing to meeting the most significant challenge facing our county and our planet.
This action plan, which was introduced to Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet on 15 June 2021 will support the implementation of actions and measures to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change
The action plan identifies short, medium and long term steps. The short term steps include incorporating the action plan into the Council’s Corporate Priorities, review and progress with schemes already identified and liaise with stakeholders. In the medium term, work will be expanded to monitor emissions from mobility and transport, procurement, land use, and buildings. Once a complete baseline carbon footprint has been established, projects and schemes that will contribute to emission reduction will need to be identified and carbon offsetting can also be considered.
In the long term, the net zero action plan will be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure progress. In addition, there will be further delivery of projects that provide significant carbon reductions. The aim is to ensure that net zero carbon working practices will be embedded throughout the Local Authority, and all new schemes, projects and developments in Ceredigion will be delivered in a manner that contributes to our net zero ambitions.
Councillor Alun Williams, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member and Chair of the Carbon Management Panel, said: “Our whole society – our whole global civilisation – is in unknown territory on this issue. Absolutely no-one has all the answers yet. Because the human race hasn’t been here before. But if we don’t face up to the challenge, and push at the boundaries of human knowledge and ingenuity to solve it, there’s an inescapable reality that will catch up with us, our children and our grandchildren. And it’s the responsibility of us in local government to play our part. I’m very grateful to all those in the Council who have worked on this plan. It’s been a team effort by many council departments, because this agenda requires the whole council to work together.
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, added: “I would like to thank the Carbon Management Panel under the chairmanship of Cllr Alun Williams for their hard work. Over the past ten years, our carbon footprint has reduced by more than 40% and Ceredigion is leading the way in Wales as operational carbon emissions have reduced 27% in the county over the last five years. This is an excellent step in the right direction as we endeavour to protect our natural environment.”
