Council celebrates progress on the Climate Emergency Action Plan and calls for greater ambition

The Liberal Democrats in Wokingham remain committed to the goals of the WBC Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP). The fifth progress report of the WBC CEAP was approved by Wokingham Borough Council at its meeting on 24 October 2024 and included recommendations for a more ambitious approach in order to achieve a net-zero carbon borough by 2030.

Successes noted in the update, include:

• A reduction in the estimated carbon emissions shortfall compared to last year.
• Wokingham had the highest uptake of solar panels in the Berkshire-wide solar together scheme.
• The new waste strategy will save 2,415 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
• A grid connection date of 2026 has been confirmed for the barkham Solar Farm.
• 44 on-street Electric Vehicle charge-points installed

However challenges remain, including challenges from national level policies and funding challenges that have led to some actions progressing slower than planned.

The Liberal Democrat Council in Wokingham nevertheless, remains committed to doing all it can in partnership with residents, business and schools, to tackle the climate emergency. It is not only the environmental impacts which are important. Other benefits include improving air quality, which will have a positive impact on health, and reducing energy costs, which will help alleviate poverty and reduce our reliance on imported oil and gas.

Executive member for Environment and Climate Emergency, Jordan Montgomery, said: 
“In July, the Climate Change Committee stated in its report for the first time that the UK was not on track to meet its 2050 net zero target. The CCC report states that more needs to happen to get the UK back on track, with ambitious action not just in the energy sector, but also across transport, buildings and tree planting.

“Wokingham’s Climate Emergency Action Plan includes actions across these three areas as well as others. However, despite all the good work that has been delivered and is being planned, the CEAP report states that even if we delivered all the actions within the CEAP, Wokingham would still not achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Further action is required.

“Damage has been done by the previous government’s policy rollback which increased the gap between the UK's plans and targets. The CCC committee has urged the new government to address this with a clear commitment to net zero transition backed with policy action. 

“Our Climate Emergency Action Plan reflects the huge amount of work that is taking place across the council to do as much as possible to become a carbon neutral borough by 2030. In addition we hope to see ambitious climate policy and legislation emerging from the new government in the near future to support Wokingham’s carbon neutral ambitions.”