Carbon emissions fall by 57% in Reading

Carbon emissions in Reading have fallen by 57% in 18 years, according to newly published government figures.

Reading has consistently been in the top five percent of local authorities for emission reductions and is currently ranked at 12^th in the UK.

The Council is continuing to progress with major projects to reduce its own carbon footprint and working with partners to work towards a net zero borough.

Residents can currently comment on the draft Reading Climate Emergency Strategy 2025-30 which sets out climate action priorities for the next five years, before the final version is consulted on.

Figures recently published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) show that Reading’s CO2 emissions, within the influence of the local authority, fell by 57% between the baseline year of 2005 and 2023 – the most recent data available. This is a further four percent reduction against 2005 and represents a nine percent improvement on 2022 emissions.  

Reading has once again performed well against the other 383 council areas, when considering emissions within local authority influence, with only 11 performing better. This put Reading ahead of other Berkshire councils and several larger authorities such as Bristol, Brighton and Oxford.

Reading also recently received confirmation that it is among the top performing towns and cities globally and nationally, receiving the CDP ‘A’ rating for climate action for the fourth consecutive year. Only 20 towns and cities in the UK, and 122 globally were awarded this grade.

Reading was also recently considered a top performing authority for action on ‘buildings and energy’ by Climate Emergency UK.

The Council’s own carbon footprint has fallen by 72.7% since 2008/9 and it is continuing to work on several major projects to maintain that downward trend:

• Civic Centre - the replacement of gas heating with air source heat pumps is now complete and will support the new improved Civic Centre, incorporating a new central library and improved registrars and customer provision.
• Hexagon – gas boilers are being replaced with ground source heat pumps, using water from the local aquifer, as part of the redevelopment of the theatre. Air source heat pumps are also being used for the new Studio Theatre.
• Bennet Road – ongoing project to create a zero-carbon depot. Gas boilers have already been replaced with air source heat pumps and solar panels, and diesel bin lorries have been replaced with electric trucks.
• Reading Buses depot – the Council and Reading Community Energy Society are working together to cover the entire depot roof with solar panels. Fast chargers have also been installed to service the 24 new electric buses which are due to start running on the 17 and 21 routes later this year.

However, the Council’s own emissions only account for less than two percent of the borough’s total emissions so the action of other organisations, businesses, communities and residents is vital in bringing down emissions further.

Reading Climate Change Partnership, of which the Council is a key member, is inviting comments on the draft of the borough’s Climate Emergency Strategy 2025-30, from anyone who lives, works, studies or spends leisure time in Reading, as its final stage in the year of climate engagement.

The document sets out what Reading needs to do to work towards the objective of a net zero carbon borough, and how to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/climate-emergency-strategy

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“The latest figures show that Reading’s commitment to taking positive climate action continues to drive down the borough’s carbon emissions.

“It is only through organisations, businesses, communities and residents working together that Reading has achieved a 57% cut in emissions and maintained its position as 12^th in the country for carbon reduction.

“The Council is leading by example by delivering several major projects to decrease its own carbon emissions, including the current works at the Civic Centre and the Hexagon.

“However, we all need to keep up the momentum in the face of rising temperatures, wetter winters and extreme weather conditions occurring more frequently.”