Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet approved plans on Tuesday (March 10) to become Carbon Clever and work towards its direct operations becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
The authority’s internal Carbon Clever working group will now implement changes to its direct operations across key areas including Property Assets, Fleet, Policy and Regulation to reduce emissions over the next decade.
Innovations that assist in reaching the carbon neutral target will also be supported by a further £1m of investment which was allocated by Cabinet to the authority’s Climate Change Action Reserve earlier this year.
Future Carbon Clever activities could include developing a tree planting plan for Council land, enforcing minimum energy standards in the private rented sector and the promotion of carbon reduction policies to developers working in Rushcliffe.
The authority’s Green House Gas Report 2018-19 was also released this week, announcing that the organisation had cut emissions by 40% since 2008/9, exceeding its previous target for 2020 by 10%.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Debbie Mason said: “I’m thrilled that Cabinet have approved this target and are committed to ensuring the Council is Carbon Clever.
“The work already completed by our internal working group is very exciting and sets us challenging but achievable targets for the futures.
“As the recent Green House Gas Report demonstrates, we have a clear commitment to the environment and we will continue to support other organisations in making positive changes to become Carbon Clever themselves.”
The Carbon Management Action Plan is set to evolve in line with technological innovations and has been developed to integrate with the overarching D2N2 Energy Strategy in the region.
The Council will continue to consider where it can influence the Borough’s communities, groups and businesses to become Carbon Clever and take similar strides towards reducing their emissions.