Salford’s steps towards a greener future

The threat of climate change poses fundamental challenges to our planet and here in Salford, the city council continues to work towards a greener future to help us reduce this threat.

Salford City Council is proud of its actions. When it declared a climate emergency, Salford was named the most sustainable council in the north west, but we know we need to do more and all residents and businesses can play their part.

The council continues to deliver its long-term environmental vision for the city through the Greater Manchester Five-Year Environment Plan with projects underway to help reach our target of 2038 for carbon neutrality in the city.

Carbon neutrality means that any carbon emissions that are produced are at least balanced out by a reduction in emissions elsewhere. Over the last 10 years, Salford City Council has spent £126 million in green investment but is committed to doing more. Here are a number of examples of how the council is tackling climate change:

1. Unlocking clean energy

Solar panel charging stations are being introduced in the council’s depots to power electric vehicles. A new solar farm made up of over 5,000 panels is being built in Little Hulton which will produce 2MW (megawatts) a year of clean energy.

Construction is also underway on a hydro-electric energy regeneration plant at the Charleston Weir in Kersal which will use the River Irwell to produce a further 710kwh (kilowatts) a year. Together, these two projects alone will generate enough electricity to power 600 homes. These projects have been funded through the Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester scheme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

2. Electric vehicles

Salford City Council is bringing forward programmes that decarbonise its existing transport and encourage everyone to think greener.

It is taking part in an e-scooter trial with provider Lime which allows riders to operate scooters on specific roads between the University of Salford, the Manchester-Salford border, Salford Quays and Salford Royal Hospital. Since October 2020, more than 100,000 trips have been made by over 30,000 people with over 200,000 kilometres covered.

Following a grant fund of £132,000 from the Energy Savings Trust, an e-cargo bike library has been set up for some of the city’s key employers and a number of small businesses to try before purchasing and help encourage further electric bike usage. The council’s property service van fleet has also been replaced with 12 new electric vehicles, used daily as part of the investment into sustainable forms of transport.

3. Decarbonising council buildings

To help the council reach the challenge to make Salford carbon neutral, it is delivering a programme of decarbonisation across 21 council-owned buildings. This work was funded from a £5.2 million grant from public body Salix Finance after £78 million was granted to all Greater Manchester councils earlier this year to support decarbonisation upgrades across the region.

This involves installing air source heat pumps on sites such as leisure centres, park buildings and children’s homes, replacing previous gas or oil systems. These pumps absorb heat from the outside which is turned into a fluid before the temperature is increased and used to heat the inside of the building.

The council is also installing solar PV panels on eleven buildings, which in total will generate over 460,000kwh of energy a year. For example, at Broughton Leisure Centre, the panels on its roof will generate 82,000 kilowatts a year, saving 23 tonnes of carbon – which is the equivalent of planting 1,000 trees.

4. Keeping surface water off the roads

Surface flooding is one of the main consequences of climate change that affects the livelihood of our businesses and residents in many ways. To counter this, the council has been building a number of sustainable drainage systems, such as creating natural wetlands to capture rainfall and prevent it from flooding into the road.

Seven carefully selected species of tree have been planted along the paths in East Ordsall Lane which take in the water from the road and distribute it to the roots via the soil and pipes, reducing the risk of flooding.

These systems not only combat climate change by preventing surface water flooding but they are also adding green corridors to the city’s roads and helping to improve the overall look of an area.

City Mayor's commitment

City Mayor Paul Dennett said: "We must protect our city for future generations and we are fully committed to doing whatever we can to cut our carbon emissions.

“These projects are testament to the work that the city has been pioneering for many years in tackling climate change and they stand us in strong stead as we seek to achieve our goal of carbon neutrality by 2038.

“We will continue to set an example to the residents and businesses of our city and encourage the use of these technologies wherever they can be used as we all must do what we can to make a real difference.”

Find out more

Watch a video about how Salford is tackling climate change by visiting: www.salford.gov.uk/greenersalford