Page 12 - City Life Magazine - Summer 2022

12 Issue 59 • June 2022

GREENER WORCESTER

City’s route to net zero emissions

Three years ago, Worcester City Council
declared a climate emergency and committed

to take action to help the city become carbon
neutral by 2030.

But what will it take to walk the talk more investment in safer walking and
– and what progress has been made cycling routes – and a public bike hire
so far? scheme is planned for 2024.

“Cutting CO2 emissions to zero Boosting biodiversity: the City
won’t just require action from the Council has supported the planting
Council – it will need commitment of over 10,000 new trees over the Electric vehicle charging
from everyone living or working in last five years – but more are needed points at St Martin’s Gate
Worcester,” says Cllr Andy Stafford, to offset carbon emissions. Planting
Chair of Worcester City Council’s wildflowers and cutting grass less clothes, furniture and computer
Environment Committee. frequently will help to boost bee accessories – could have a huge
and pollinator numbers, which are impact on Worcester’s carbon
The authority’s environmental essential to our food chain. footprint. Growing and eating more
sustainability action plan for the city local produce and cutting down
focuses on five crucial areas: Creating less waste: re-using and on food waste will make a big
recycling more items – including difference too.
Insulating Worcester: ensuring
homes, business premises and
community buildings are energy- What is the Council doing?
efficient. Funding is available through
the Green Homes Grant scheme if Worcester City Council’s own
your household income is £30,000 or carbon emissions have fallen by
less. Find out more, and get tips on over 24% since April 2019. This
how to save money on your energy has in part been achieved by using
bills, at actonenergy.org.uk ‘green’ electricity (generated from
sustainable sources instead of
fossil fuel) to power its buildings,
Supporting the transition to
electric vehicles: ensuring the city including the Guildhall, the Art
has a strong electric vehicle charging Gallery and Museum, Astwood
infrastructure, including provision for Cemetery and The Commandery.
residents with no off-street parking.
Solar panels installed on the roof of
More active travel: the majority of St Martin’s Gate car park are helping The City Council Street Scene team in action
car journeys made in Worcester are to power the building’s lighting and with electric grounds maintenance kit
under two miles long. There will be 12 recently installed electric vehicle
charging points. helped to reduce emissions from
the City Council’s street cleaning,
New electric vans and grounds and recycling and waste operations.
maintenance equipment have Refuse collection vehicles will
gradually be replaced with lower
emission alternatives over the next
few years.

Emissions from staff travel
have also been reduced, with
employees encouraged to join
some meetings by video link, and
to walk and cycle more.

 For more information:
Worcester City Council’s civil W: worcester.gov.uk/climate-
Turn down your enforcement team take to two wheels
thermostat emergency

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