Reading Borough Council reduces carbon footprint by 63.5%, on the way to becoming a net zero organisation by 2030

Reading Council today published its annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for 2019/20, highlighting further success in reducing its emissions in line with the aims set out in the Council’s Carbon Plan for the period 2015-20.

This Carbon Plan set ambitious targets for carbon reduction and achievements include:

• Target of 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, exceeded and achieved three whole years early
• Overall 63.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 2008/09 baseline
• Avoided energy costs of c.£13 million, including some £1.6m in 2019/20 alone - as a result of energy investment and carbon reduction initiatives.

The Council committed to lead by example and demonstrate meaningful progress when it declared a Climate Emergency on behalf of the whole community in 2019.

Reading Borough Council’s new Carbon Plan for 2020-25, approved in November 2020, sets even more ambitious targets to build on the successes to date, aiming for an 85% reduction in emissions by 2025, helping to drive both Reading and the Council towards its net zero carbon target by 2030.

Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “The Council is leading by example in tackling the climate emergency, having cut its own carbon footprint by 63.5% since 2008/09.”

“We are not resting on our laurels – there remains much to be done and we have set ourselves ambitious targets for carbon reduction and renewable energy generation by 2025 which will be important to keep us on track to the ultimate goal of becoming a net zero organisation by 2030.”

“The Council cannot achieve a net zero Reading on its own, and we urge residents, communities, businesses and organisations across Reading to play their part. The climate emergency is everybody’s responsibility and by working together I am sure we can rise to this vital challenge.”