Nottingham’s 2028 carbon neutral plan outlined

Almost 1,000 responses from residents, businesses and organisations across Nottingham have helped to shape how the city aims to become carbon neutral by 2028.

A two-month consultation earlier this year has been used to inform and change Nottingham City Council’s 2028 Carbon Neutral Action Plan, which is set to be adopted by the council’s Executive Board next week. The plan will help Nottingham to make a green recovery from the ongoing coronavirus crisis, building on measures already in place and some of the changed behaviour that’s happened as a result of the pandemic.

The Action Plan focuses on five key areas for action: Transport – Building on the city’s successful efforts so far to provide high-quality green public transport, encourage take-up of low and no-emission vehicles and facilitate active travel across the city; the built environment – the plan will investigate ways to ensure new buildings have the highest possible energy efficiency standards and explore expansion of low carbon heating across the city; energy generation – going beyond the council’s energy from waste operation and huge installation programme of solar panels on council buildings and homes by looking into development and extension of low carbon energy sources to provide affordable and secure local energy; waste and water – maximising the potential of the city’s waste disposal arrangements, which see over 90 per cent reused, recycled, composted or used for energy recovery; and consumption – increasing local food production while reducing food waste and consumption of high carbon items, making city events more carbon neutral and tourism more sustainable, encouraging community gardens and food share.

Sally Longford, deputy leader and Portfolio Holder for Environment & Energy, said: “We had an excellent response to our consultation about our carbon neutral plans, with strong support for our ambitions and efforts so far. The actions in this Plan are for everyone to share responsibility for, so it’s been great to get a broad range of views on how best we move things forward as a city. It’s vital that we put sustainable carbon neutrality at the core of the city and its renewal over the next 12 months and beyond. During the Covid-19 crisis we have all noticed clearer skies and cleaner air and perhaps appreciated wildlife more and maybe returned to slightly simpler ways of life. People have had to get used to using their cars less, walking and cycling more, perhaps thinking more carefully about what they are buying to reduce waste.

“We need to build on that, putting climate action at the heart of a wider sustainability vision that delivers for people and the planet, so we can provide the foundation for economic recovery, building a new form of clean growth through a green industrial revolution, and maximising the opportunities for local jobs. This Plan helps us do that and will support future prosperity in the city and deliver wellbeing for future generations.”