CLIMATE ACTION WENDOVER

So what are Bucks Council planning to do about climate change?

In 2020 Bucks Council declared it would work 'alongside national Government with the objective to achieve net carbon zero for Buckinghamshire as a whole by 2050' and its own operations by 2030 if feasible.

Bill Chapple, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, presented the new Strategy to the full Council last month. Some ways in which they plan to reduce emissions are to: •Explore the potential for renewable energy generation projects on the council’s land, for example, developing a solar farm). •Ensure council new buildings are as low carbon as possible •Conduct feasibility studies for the installation of solar car ports at appropriate parking sites •Enhance and support sustainable tree management practices, aiming to plant over 500,000 trees.

Their interim target for 2030 is to reduce emissions by 75% based on 1990 emission levels. This however only equates to a 50% reduction based on more recent 2018/9 emissions.

The Council wants to work in partnership with local residents and community organisations to reduce carbon emissions, providing help and funding through local Community Boards.

Whilst it is pleasing to see the Climate Strategy we would like the actions listed to quickly become more specific and with measurable results. We also know, as do Bucks Council, that they need to work a lot faster than 2050 to reach ‘net zero’. Climate Action Wendover has spent the last year mapping out potential ways for our community to lower our carbon emissions and we believe from our data a 75% reduction is feasible by 2030 if we all work together. More to follow on this.

If you have time, please read the Bucks Council strategy on their website, and do take the opportunity in this election year to question your Bucks Councillors about the details.