In line with the Swindon Borough Council’s Vision for Swindon, the Carbon Reduction Strategy which sets out the plans to be carbon neutral within 10 years will be presented to councillors next week.
The Cabinet will also hear about wider plans to work with partners towards carbon neutrality for the whole borough to ensure it delivers on government targets.
Swindon Borough Council has already spent over £15m in the construction of solar energy farms, the installation of electric vehicle charging points, the use of LED street lights and investment in electric vehicles amongst others.
The new strategy amounts to a reduction of carbon emissions of 11,800 tonnes per year.
Alongside the ambition to reduce its own carbon footprint, the Council will also be playing a role leading the wider town to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Current analysis shows road travel, residential buildings and institutional buildings and facilities produce over two thirds of the current 1.5m tonnes of CO2 emission currently produced by the borough each year.
Councillor Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “Protecting our environment is a key commitment for this Council and this ambitious strategy sets out how we plan to meet our pledge to become carbon neutral.
“We have already invested a significant amount in renewable energy, sustainable travel and energy savings schemes and this strategy sets out our next steps.
“As a leading voice in the town we plan to set the example by bringing our own organisation down to net zero and we hope many others will follow suit.
“While we will do everything we can, it will be down to all of us as residents and businesses to change the way we travel, work and live if we are to cut our carbon emissions as a borough.”
