The Council has cut its Greenhouse Gas emissions by two-thirds by investing in projects that reduce emissions such as covers for swimming pools, replacing existing streetlights and lighting within buildings with more energy-efficient LED lighting, replacement zero emission and ultra-low emission vehicles and installing composting toilets in parks.
Trees play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change and in addition to reducing its emissions the Council will have planted 2,840 trees in the year ending March 2022 resulting in increases in efficient and effective carbon capture, as well as a range of other benefits to Ipswich residents, businesses and visitors.
Looking forward over the next year, the Council will start work on an £18.2M project that will see the development of a new carbon-neutral Depot that will be the operational base for many of the Council’s frontline activities, it will also start buying electricity from zero-carbon sources and will buy ‘green gas’. These projects along with continued investment in improvements to insulation, lighting and heating in buildings and continuing to invest in less polluting vehicles will ensure the Council continues to work towards its 2030 carbon neutral commitment.
In addition to reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions from its own activities, the Council has continued to invest in improvements to Council houses that as well as reducing emissions also improve comfort and cut tenants’ energy bills. Council house improvement measures have included external wall insulation, loft and cavity wall insulation, photovoltaic panels and ‘A’ rated boilers. There have also been solar panels installed at 10 sheltered housing schemes.
The Council’s Executive next week will consider a report on the progress of the 2020 – 2030 Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and which provides an analysis of the Council’s Greenhouse Gas emissions in the period April 2020 to March 2021. The report can be seen here – from page 225.
Cllr Phil Smart, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, says:
“I’m pleased with the progress we have been making; not talking hot air but reducing such and also measuring how we helped cut Greenhouse Gases.
“I look forward to our contribution to these vital tasks increasing even more when we have converted more of our fleet to electric vehicles, start buying greener electricity and gas and also build more green council houses as well as plant even more trees. Great progress but lots more to do.”
Photo credit – Ipswich Borough Council
