Westmorland and Furness Council has agreed the next stage in its plans to create a sustainable future with the agreement of its new Carbon Management Strategy and Part Two of its Climate Action Plan to make the authority Net-Zero by 2037.
At a meeting of Cabinet held on Tuesday, members agreed a new Carbon Management Strategy for 2024-2029 as well as the second and final part of the council’s ambitious new climate action plan.
The plans outline the direction and intention of the council to address climate change, provide leadership in the drive to become carbon net zero, and create a greener Westmorland and Furness.
Among the plans in a blow to the local farming community that has seen controversy when other councils have made the same announcements, the council will ensure all council events have vegan food, other plans will see the council encourage and engage residents with cycling, walking and wheeling and plans for dark skies lighting switch off campaigns in towns and villages across Westmorland and Furness.
In order to reach a net zero position for the council’s emissions by 2037, it is estimated that a total capital expenditure of approximately £26m is required, which equates to just over £2m annually.
The Climate Action Plan is a five-year plan which the council says will be reviewed regularly and updated annually, with the council focusing its actions on six categories, identifying that a holistic approach is needed to tackle climate change and achieve net zero: The way we live, The way we work, The way we produce energy, The way we protect and enhance nature, The way we use things and The way we travel”
Councillor Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate and Biodiversity, said:
“Today's agreement on both Part Two of our Climate Action Plan and our Carbon Management Strategy is another milestone for our council and for Westmorland and Furness. As a council, we are making climate change a high priority and they signify our dedication to combatting climate change and providing leadership in the drive to become carbon net zero.
“These pieces of work are an important step in outlining how we as a council can work to achieve this while delivering our essential services and meeting our Council Plan priorities. Climate change remains the challenge of our generation and we recognise that in order to address it, it will require collaboration and cooperation from all stakeholders. My thanks to our partners for their input into the action plan and all those who took the time to engage with our climate conversation events.
“The plans will enhance the work we are already doing, and much hard work lies ahead, but I am heartened that if we all work together to address climate change, we can deliver net zero for Westmorland and Furness and enable it to be a great place to live, work and thrive.”
Councillor Peter Thornton, Cabinet Member for Highways and Assets, said:
“I welcome Cabinet’s decision today to agree to both the Carbon Management Strategy and Part Two of the Climate Action Plan. Both are comprehensive and important pieces of work which have involved a lot of hard work and make significant steps forward for the council. I’d like to thank all the staff involved.
“Reducing our carbon footprint is a priority for the council and by taking into account our Scope 3 emissions as well as Scope 1 and 2, it allows us to develop a deeper understanding of our carbon footprint, how we can reduce it and how we can influence others to act too.
“We already have a number of projects in the pipeline to help us achieve this ambition including the construction of a 2MW solar farm site in Barrow due to commence in the Spring. The site will generate green electricity and bring about reductions in carbon for the council resulting in expected savings of around 607 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per annum."
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
