New climate change targets set to be adopted by South Northamptonshire Council

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, to be read and voted on by councillors when it virtually meets next week (May 13), states: “Adopting these targets would be the most effective way for SNC to make a meaningful reduction to emissions in the district, it would also provide the greatest chance of South Northamptonshire contributing its fair share toward keeping global temperatures below two degrees celsius. However, it is not possible for SNC to carry out most of these actions directly, instead they need to encourage and enable action from others.”

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

The council is set to be abolished next April, when it will be replaced by a new unitary council – West Northamptonshire Council – 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 1 April 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.”