Play your part in designing a net-zero Reading

People who live, work or study in Reading are being invited to have their say on what the town’s climate action priorities should be as it works towards reaching net zero.

The current Reading Climate Emergency Strategy comes to an end next year and work is under way on the new plan for the following critical five years.

A public survey has just been launched and is one of several ways the Reading Climate Action Network (ReadingCAN) aims to involve people of all ages in a Year of Climate Engagement.

The Reading Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan 2025-30 will set out the pathway to achieve the aim of being a net-zero borough.

The Designing a Net Zero Reading deliberative group of 50 people has already met to start the process and people are now being invited to comment on a very early set of potential priorities and point out any omissions. This can be done via a survey at: Designing a Net Zero Reading Survey (surveymonkey.com) until midday on Thursday 5 September.

Responses from this survey will be fed into the next meeting of the deliberative group in September 2024 and a second public survey will then follow.

Another way for any professional or community group or club to take part in the engagement process is to submit their ideas via a guided discussion pack. The Designing a Net-zero Reading discussion pack is available to download from the ReadingCAN website at: https://readingcan.org.uk/priorities/.

ReadingCAN is also keen to hear from groups, communities and organisations about what they have been doing to tackle climate change, to inspire others to take action. Details for submitting stories and case studies are in the discussion pack.

Young people aged 10-18 are invited to contribute to a Big Letter which will be read to the next meeting of the deliberative group. Schools, youth groups, holiday clubs and community events are being encouraged to gather ideas from young people and send them in. A Big Letter pack is available to download from the ReadingCAN website.

ReadingCAN has also set up a Reading Climate Engagement Email list for anyone who would like to receive updates, surveys, discussion packs and other invitations related to the engagement process.

More information and links to download packs, sign up for the survey and email list can be found at: https://readingcan.org.uk/priorities/.

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

“The next Reading Climate Emergency Strategy takes us up to 2030, when we are working towards a net-zero borough.

“Reading already has a good track record on tackling climate change, with a 51% reduction in the borough’s carbon emissions since 2005 and the Council is leading the way with a 74% reduction in its own emissions in the last 14 years.

“But we are now entering a critical period of time when we must all step up a gear as the effects of climate change are becoming more apparent in Reading and across the globe.

“I would encourage everyone who lives, works or studies in Reading, and organisations, to take part in this engagement process in whatever way they can so we can move forward together urgently with the next stage of tackling the climate emergency.”

Heather Marshall, Co-Chair of ReadingCAN, said:

“This year is all about bringing people together from different sectors and policy areas to tackle systemic challenges. Collaboration and co-ordinated climate action is now crucial if we want to continue our excellent track record for emissions reduction in Reading."

ReadingCAN is run by the Reading Climate Change Partnership which is a group of local stakeholders representing business, academia, community groups and statutory authorities across a range of policy areas.