Climate change plan given thumbs up
An action plan setting out over 100 projects and actions to address climate change across Richmondshire has been given the thumbs up by district councillors.
Members of the Corporate Board on Tuesday (July 13) approved Richmondshire District Council’s Climate Change Action Plan. It will now go before Full Council next week (July 20) for final ratification.
The actions, which will be mostly delivered over the next two years, include a £330,000 scheme for the installation of solar panels on 37 council owned bungalows. Another £45,000 will be used to convert street lamps to energy efficient LEDs and to dim them for part of the night; and £45,000 will be set aside for an electric vehicle for staff business use and charging points at the Council’s depot.
To provide leadership and support in the wider community, a grant of £5,000 has been awarded to the recently formed Richmondshire Climate Action Partnership to help support its work with communities across the district to take local action on climate change.
Over £10,000 has also been set aside for tree planting, an electric taxi incentive scheme, support for cycling and walking plans. There are also two new awards schemes to celebrate local business and community action on climate change.
The investment follows on from the £220,000 commitment to deliver 20 electric vehicle charging points in car parks across the district and a £2m investment in Richmond Swimming Pool, that will include the installation of solar panels and more thermally efficient windows and walls.
“This action plan will drive forward our activities and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the district. This is for both in our own council operations and also as we support the local community to take their own steps to do this,” said Council Leader, Councillor Angie Dale.
“There are some very exciting actions in this plan and I am excited to see the work start as we attempt to become a carbon zero district.”
The Action Plan follows up on the Council’s climate emergency declaration two years ago. It also marks the first step towards achieving the target of getting all the Council’s operations and activities net zero carbon by 2030.