Climate Emergency UK has recently announced the results of the Council Climate Action Scorecards, which are an assessment of all UK councils’ climate action since 2019. We are delighted to see that we have been placed in joint second in Surrey alongside Mole Valley District Council for our response to reducing emissions and tackling the climate emergency. We have also been listed in 15th place in the South East of England.
Our total score was 33%, and we scored particularly highly in areas such as building and heating, waste reduction and food and governance and finance.
We are very pleased with this result, but we understand that there is always more work to be done. The scorecard research and FOIs were completed earlier this year, so our current score is only a snapshot in time of our climate action, and our work programmes have moved forward dramatically since the start of the assessment. For example, we have installed further electric vehicle charging points across the borough for residents, completed our Sustainable Elmbridge Communication and Engagement Strategy, and are delivering the first year of our Green Fleet Strategy vehicle replacement programme.
Councillor David Young, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Sustainability at Elmbridge Borough Council comments: “In 2019, Elmbridge Borough Council declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030. As a result, our Carbon Management & Reduction Plan 2030 (CMRP) has been created and implemented to reduce our carbon emissions and to help reach our target.”
“We are really pleased to have scored second in Surrey, in joint place with Mole Valley District Council. Climate action remains a key priority for us to strive towards a greener future for Elmbridge, as this element is a critical part of our Vision 2030 for a sustainable, thriving Elmbridge driven by the power of community.”