New climate change targets agreed by South Northamptonshire Council

The plans include planting one tree for each of the 92,515 residents in the area, upgrading insulation in more than 2,000 homes every year for the next decade, and persuading 40 per cent of its population to commute by public transport, cycling or walking by 2030 - compared to the current level of 13 per cent.

It comes following a detailed report by a Climate Change Working Group made up of cross-party councillors, which was formed to see how the council (SNC) could reduce its carbon footprint to help contribute towards the legally-binding national target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A report, which was read and voted on by councillors when it met virtually on Wednesday evening (May 13), said that adopting the targets would be the 'most effective way for SNC to make a meaningful reduction to emissions in the district'.

Other targets include 70 per cent of municipal waste being reused, recycled or composted by 2025 with zero waste as soon as possible; and reducing building energy demand and increasing energy efficiency at council owned buildings such as The Forum, Tove Depot, Towcester Centre for Leisure and Brackley Leisure Centre.

Presenting the report, Conservative councillor Sandra Barnes said: "Although it has dropped out of the news, we have not forgotten about climate change here. We can only take baby steps now. We cannot change the world, country or even county, but we can leave a legacy and make a difference now."

Councillor Martin Johns, of the Liberal Democrats, said: "There may actually be some positive effects from this virus related to the environment. One of the changes has been a major shift towards working remotely, which our own council staff have been doing. I'm sure this trend will continue if not at the current level, at a very high level. This may have a beneficial impact on traffic movements and air quality.

"The scope for our action is quite limited, and right across the chamber - virtual as it is tonight - we all share frustration that on things such as planning, our hands are tied. We could make massive changes in planning if we were able to set higher environmental standards for house building, but we're not allowed to.

"I welcome all the actions contained in this report and particularly welcome the specific action plan. Without these timescales we can't measure results."

The council is set to be abolished next April, when it will be replaced by a new unitary council - West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) - that will effectively merge it with Northampton Borough and Daventry. The plan includes short-term actions that SNC can take up, and recommendations for actions to be taken by WNC as it is hoped that the new unitary can take up the climate change mantle.

The report states: “Creating a climate change action plan brings challenges and opportunities: whilst short term actions by this council can be achieved, attaining net-zero across the district will require ongoing action well beyond April 1, 2021. West Northamptonshire Council will have a wider scope in terms of powers and influence as well as resources, expertise and geographical reach meaning it could have a greater impact and progress climate change action further and faster.”

Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Chris Lofts, added: "I fully support all the actions in this report. What will govern whether this action plan succeeds is to make sure that the new WNC fully embraces not only the words in here, but also the spirit behind it."