In short—yes we can. But this isn’t a one man band type response. If we’re going to tackle climate change and create a greener, healthier, more prosperous future, we need to respond as a city with residents, businesses, the public sector, community groups and all types of organisations working together with the same mission.
That mission is Net Zero.
Net Zero is a commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible and, as a last resort, put measures in place to re-absorb the emissions that can’t be avoided by planting trees, restoring seagrass and so on. This is known as offsetting.
Luckily, tackling climate change also means improving many other areas of our lives. There are lots of co-benefits to climate action. If we think creatively, we can respond to major challenges, such as the recovery from Covid-19 or the cost of living crisis, and at the same time reduce our carbon footprint.
Reducing carbon emissions (and associated particulates) will improve air quality, making life and health better for us all, but especially those who suffer from asthma or breathing difficulties. Remember how clear the skies were during lock down when car usage dropped to a historic low?
By adopting active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling), we can not only reduce our carbon emissions, but also reduce our risks of lifestyle illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes. There are very clear links to mental wellbeing from exercise too. Meanwhile, well insulated homes keep you cool in summer and warm in winter and make your home more energy efficient and comfortable, while lowering your energy bills.
There are many opportunities to create new green jobs and build new skills to deliver a low carbon economy: we need technology, expertise, low carbon materials, products and services and local people to meet demand.
We can also create local income from renewable sources of energy, like solar farms. With local energy creation, we can keep money in our local economy instead of it leaving Plymouth to pay large, international energy firms. Research tells us 6.1% of everything earned in Plymouth leaves the area to pay energy bills*. Saving money on fuel and energy means more income to reinvest in our local economy too.
Improvements to our green and blue spaces will have positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing and continue to make our city an attractive place to work, invest and visit.
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*Place Based Climate Action Network - Plymouth Read analysis here
Improving public transport and providing affordable access to new, cleaner modes of travel across the city such as e-bikes and e-car clubs helps to ensure that everyone can contribute to a net zero future. Insulating homes and increasing energy efficiency of all our buildings will ensure that our most vulnerable are less at risk from fuel poverty.
Climate change may be felt unevenly, but we can help by improving our public realm – making it greener and more attractive, creating warm civic buildings and comfortable and appealing spaces for all.
In March 2019, Plymouth City Council was one of many local authorities to declare a Climate Emergency, setting a goal of reaching climate neutrality (Net Zero) by 2030. Many of our businesses and organisations have pledged their commitment to Net Zero too including the University of Plymouth, Babcock International Group, Plymouth Marjon University, Plymouth CityBus and the University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Action is being taken across the city to meet these pledges, but the pace of change is not enough. We need to do more.
The chart shows the progress in each area of Plymouth’s emissions towards the target of Net Zero.
The emissions from the waste sector increased in 2016 due to the commissioning of the Devonport energy from waste plant. Figures include domestic waste brought into Plymouth from surrounding local authorities and commercial waste streams. Plymouth’s domestic waste accounts for approximately 23% of the total waste emissions.
Getting to Net Zero boils down to one essential goal: reducing our carbon emissions to as close to zero as possible. That means thinking about how we live, travel, consume energy and more...
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