SILHILLIANS are being called on to help shape a new plan to reduce the borough’s carbon emissions.
Solihull Council has set an important ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions for the borough by 2041.
‘Net zero’ or ‘carbon neutral’ means that the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted is balanced out by the carbon that is removed from the atmosphere.
Achieving net zero will require decisive action to be taken at all levels.
Solihull Council is developing a Net Zero Action Plan for the borough supported by sustainability consultants Anthesis, to help understand what actions can be taken to reduce the borough’s emissions.
The borough’s annual greenhouse gas emissions are currently estimated to be 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
As a first step towards developing Solihull’s Net Zero Action Plan, a Green Paper has been released which sets out the evidence base for action and identifies the changes that need to occur across the borough.
This document acts as a discussion paper to start conversations about how Solihull can achieve its net zero ambition, and local residents and businesses are being asked to share their views.
Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet member for climate change, planning and housing, said: “While the road ahead will pose many challenges it also offers exciting opportunities for us all to make positive changes to the way we live, work and travel while encouraging us to embrace new technologies.
“Managed properly our transition to a carbon net zero society has the potential to unlock huge economic growth as we attract new investment in green jobs and infrastructure.
“This burgeoning sector will be critical to the region and the country’s economic fightback as we emerge from the COVID pandemic.
“It can also bring other benefits such as better air quality, an improved natural environment, more comfortable homes and reduced energy costs. We should see this challenge as a pivotal moment but also an unprecedented opportunity.
“We are already taking huge steps in the right direction with initiatives like our Electric Vehicle Strategy, plans for a new low carbon Energy Centre next to Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and our ambitious tree planting schemes.
“Progress is being made in other areas too. Just last week Jaguar Land Rover announced its own plans to become a net zero carbon business by 2039.
“Things are moving in the right direction but we will need everyone’s help to get to net zero.”
For more go to netzerosolihull.co.uk
