Published: Friday, 4th February 2022

Climate Emergency UK has released their league table of all UK Council’s climate emergency action plans, with Warwick District Council tabling 47th out of 181 Councils.

The Council were also the highest amongst all Councils in Warwickshire.

Each Council’s plan was assessed in October 2021 looking at a range of areas including governance, funding, commitment, and community engagement.

Though the Council is pleased to have received an above average score and acknowledges the work by other Councils that it can learn from, it has noted that the scoring took place before the adoption of the Climate Change Action Programme in November 2021 and therefore does not take into account the updated plan and current progress.

The Climate Change Action Programme sets out clear ambitions for the whole of South Warwickshire with specific steps on how to achieve them, and since its adoption the Council has already:

  • Started retrofitting dozens of social housing properties with solar PV panels, air source heat pumps and insulation
  • Divested 100% of savings from fossil fuel funds
  • Reconvened the People’s Climate Change Inquiry to update them on progress and continue with community engagement
  • Planned to ensure all Council vehicles are fully electric by the end of 2022
  • Worked with Warwickshire County Council to develop a series of net zero webinars for businesses in South Warwickshire
  • Progressed with the net zero buildings planning document to ensure all new developments are carbon neutral

In addition, the Council has been regularly communicating with residents on how to keep warm and well in winter, with tips on how to draught proof their home or referrals to local charity Act On Energy for help and advice on grants and switching fuel providers.

The Council has also updated its climate change web pages to provide clear and concise information for residents and businesses, including a climate quiz which provides handy tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint.

Councillor Alan Rhead, Cabinet member for Climate Change, said: “Over the last year, the Council’s work in addressing the climate emergency has gathered real momentum. I welcome the work Climate Emergency UK have done on preparing the scorecard. However, it doesn’t fully reflect the achievements we have made or the plans that we have.

“Whilst we know there is much more we need to do, the Climate Change Action Programme that we agreed in November is already providing a springboard for real progress in many areas and I, together with the senior officers and members of the Programme Advisory Board are committed to driving this agenda forward in the coming months and years.”

Cllr John Dearing, Chair of the Programme Advisory Board for Climate Change said: “The Council’s cross-party Climate Change Board welcomes the Climate Emergency UK Scorecard and will be encouraging the Council to learn from the best Councils to help us accelerate progress.

“We recognise that the timing of the report means that WDC’s score does not accurately reflect what we are currently doing and all political parties on the Council continue to be united in pushing forward on our challenging climate change ambitions. We are therefore optimistic, that when Climate Emergency UK revisit their scorecards, we will see a significant improvement for WDC.”

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