Reading Needs to Keep Accelerating Action on Climate Change to Achieve Net Zero Ambitions

Sunday 26 February will be the fourth anniversary of the Council declaring a climate emergency on behalf of the town.

Reading boasts the 4^th largest cut in its carbon footprint of all 374 local authority areas in the UK, but the Reading Climate Change Partnership (RCCP) is warning unless individuals, businesses and organisations make a new tangible commitment to take action, the town will fail to meet its target.

Residents are urged to take a small step by spending a few minutes to look at resources on the partnership’s dedicated website at readingcan.org.uk for ideas on how they can make a difference.

Positive simple steps everyone can take to save carbon and save money include:

• Walk, cycle or use public transport instead of driving.
• Reduce food waste – freeze leftovers and check your fridge temperature is between 0-5 ^◦C.
• Repair, Recycle and Reuse.
• Turn down thermostats and switch off appliances where possible – depending on your age the ideal room temperature is 18-19^◦C during winter.
• Skip meat for one day a week.

While the town as a whole has cut its carbon footprint by 55% since 2005, Reading Borough Council’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 71.3% in just 13 years. The Council’s carbon footprint accounts for less than 1.5% of total emissions for the borough however.

Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport said: “Despite the impressive local figures, the fact is that our town needs to significantly step up our efforts on cutting emissions.”

“The challenge remains to mobilise individual residents, communities, private businesses and other organisations to act and take decisions which make a difference, no matter how small. It is apparent that net zero is not something any council can achieve on its own, which means always trying to find new and innovative ways of raising the profile of climate action and keeping it at the forefront of people’s minds so that it shapes and influences the choices people make every single day.”

“Having invested £1 million in heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon emissions of its new leisure centres in 2022, the Council has reaffirmed its commitment in its most recent budget proposals. These show another £4.4 million built in on energy saving measures in buildings, alongside renewable energy, not to mention many millions more on creating new and realistic forms of sustainable travel, whether that’s through new segregated cycle lanes, or investment in our bus services. The Council’s successful bid for £26 million worth of investment to deliver our Bus Service Improvement Plan will help Reading towards its net zero carbon target by 2030 by encouraging more people to travel by bus.”

“Continued and sustained effort will be required to increase the rate of emissions reduction between now and 2030, including by Central Government. Reading’s own climate stripes clearly illustrate the warming which, if it continues, will create enormous challenges in terms of the infrastructure we all take for granted.”

Tracey Rawling Church, co-chair of the Reading Climate Change Partnership said: “Making Reading a net zero, climate resilient town will require the support of everybody who lives, works or studies here, working together to not just reduce our own impacts but collaborating to create new systems and learn new ways of doing things."

 "We know that many people want to act but are unsure of the best thing to do, so our website at www.readingcan.org.uk puts the emphasis on the question “What can I do” and signposts reliable sources of information and guidance."

"Our annual Reading Climate Festival has provided a new way to engage with residents and community groups and we have ambitious plans for this year."

"It has also been great to see an increasing level of engagement from businesses, exemplified by a hugely successful Business Climate Fayre last November."

"We will shortly be beginning the process of inviting residents, community groups and businesses to contribute their thoughts on what our priorities should be in developing the action plan for 2025-2030 and, while there is still much to do, we’re encouraged by the increasing level of awareness and enthusiasm for tackling climate change.”

On 21 and 22 March residents can take part in a new climate pilot programme; an immersive experience where residents participate in grassroots discussions, helping the council understand which climate change policies are most popular and work together on a local climate plan and smarter ways of living. Residents will receive a £20 voucher for two hours of their time. More information on how to participate here www.reading.gov.uk/discussclimate