SOLIHULL Councillors have agreed on a plan which sets out the actions to hit the borough’s net zero ambitions in a bid to combat climate change.
It comes after councillors heard the borough’s annual greenhouse gas emissions equate to a diesel car travelling round the equator 200,000 times.
The Cabinet met last week to discuss the Net Zero Action Plan (NZAP) and some of the challenges and opportunities it presents, and unanimously agreed the proposals.
In response to the climate emergency, Solihull Council has spent the last year working to develop its NZAP for the borough, supported by sustainability consultants Anthesis.
The aim of the NZAP is to support the borough in its decarbonisation efforts and its ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2041.
The plan has also been developed to help maximise the benefits that can be achieved by reducing CO2 emissions.
These include better air quality, improved natural environment, more comfortable homes, cost savings, and new green jobs.
The NZAP contains 203 actions which support 54 goals to help the borough achieve its net zero aim.
Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of the Council, said: “I am very pleased the NZAP has been approved as it means we can start to take the necessary steps and begin implementation of the plan.
“Whilst we are already doing lots to decarbonise our borough, we now have a clear plan which outlines our contribution to tackling climate change – an existential threat to humanity.
“As a baseline, Solihull’s annual greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 1.3million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019.
“That is roughly equal to driving a diesel car around the equator 200,000 times – it is clear that action must be taken.”
Speaking at the meeting Coun Steve Caudwell, leader of Solihull Green party said the NZAP was a good start.
He added: “We have to remember this doesn’t get us to net zero by 2041 as the report states – the high ambition plan gets us 71 per cent to net zero by 2041 and that means we have to remain alert and alive to new possibilities and solutions as they come along.
“We have to stay brave and advocate for these important solutions even when they might be initially unpopular, but that aside, I think this is a great start and I look forward to supporting it.”
