Green upgrades work towards carbon reduction
Reducing carbon use while saving taxpayers’ money is part of our next steps on our green agenda.
Targeting its largest energy-using buildings is part of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s updated Sustainable Environment Strategy.
The council is moving towards net carbon zero by 2030, having already reduced carbon emissions by 43 per cent since 2019.
David Hutchison, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Sustainable Environment, said:
We have already taken large strides towards the council being net carbon zero, but there is still more to do.
By focusing on some of our largest users of energy, such as J2, Brampton museum, the crematorium and depot, we can make a significant difference to our carbon emissions and reduce energy costs at the same time.”
Work includes upgrading walls, windows and roofs, installing solar panels and LED lighting, modernising heating systems and the long term move towards powering the crematorium with green energy.
A report before the council’s cabinet in June says that since adopting its Sustainable Environment Strategy in December 2020, the authority has already reduced emissions from its HGV fleet by 90 per cent, planted 15,000 trees and moved to renewable energy for its electricity consumption.
First formally adopted in 2020, the Sustainable Environment Strategy aims to drive the council’s move away from unsustainable consumption of resources by reducing reliance on the use of fossil fuels, reducing carbon and other damaging emissions, minimising waste and maximising recycling, and offsetting residual carbon emissions.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said that the authority’s target of net carbon zero was a stepping stone towards the whole borough reaching net carbon zero by 2050.
He added:
The borough council only contributes a small amount to the overall volume of carbon emissions across the area, but we can set an example and show what can be achieved.
If we all contribute to solving the problem, our collective efforts can contribute to the greater whole, which is why Newcastle is working in partnership with Staffordshire County Council and the other district and borough councils.”