Stroud District Council’s actions towards tackling the climate emergency have earned it joint 8th place among all councils in the UK and the highest performing council in Gloucestershire.
The council has jumped two places on last year.
The asessement was carried out by Climate Emergency UK, which measures the strength of council’s written climate action plans. It consisted of more than 90 questions over seven areas of activity that councils have control or influence over: Buildings & Heating, Transport, Governance & Finance, Planning, Biodiversity, Collaboration & Engagement and Waste Reduction & Food, between January and August 2023.
Stroud District Council was the first in Europe to become carbon neutral for emissions in its direct control. In November 2018 it declared a climate change emergency and pledged to do everything within its power to make the Stroud district carbon neutral by the year 2030.
SDC scored average or significantly above average in six of the seven categories, with highest scores in the Collaboration & Engagement, Buildings & Heating and Waste Reduction & Food categories.
Cllr Chloe Turner, Chair of SDC Environment Committee said: “I am pleased to see that our score has improved as a result of our ongoing work to tackle the climate emergency.
“Work such as our £5million investment to decarbonise three of our largest public buildings – Stratford Park Leisure Centre, the Museum in the Park and The Pulse leisure centre and the ongoing retrofitting programme of council homes have all been recognised.”
Cllr Robin Layfield, vice chair added:
“As part of SDC’s Council Plan, environment and climate change is one of the council’s three top priorities.
“There is still so much that needs to be done and everyone can play a part in this. Every action we take, no matter how small can make a difference. Our website resource is a great starting point for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the environment: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/environment/building-a-sustainable-future-together/what-can-you-do ”
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