North Lincolnshire Council will end its contribution to climate change and become carbon neutral by 2030.
The pledge comes as part of a new policy set to be approved at the council’s Cabinet meeting today, Monday 24 January.
The ‘Green Future’ proposals are designed to enable the council, together with residents and businesses, to make positive changes to create a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable North Lincolnshire.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is one of the most important pieces of policy we will be responsible for – it sets a vision which will protect North Lincolnshire now and for future generations.
“We already have an enviable track record when it comes to protecting and enhancing the environment; slashing our carbon emissions in the last decade, planting over 85,000 trees and re-establishing vast areas of urban wildlife habitats – but we can and will go further.
“It embeds environmental protections and enhancements into everything we do and across all that we are responsible for – and is designed to protect and create jobs, taking advantage of new green technologies and the emerging industries.”
The new policy is designed to enable every part of the council, each resident and community, together with all businesses, to play an active and involved role in achieving the best possible environmental outcomes for North Lincolnshire.
In a consultation, 99 per cent of respondents agreed with all the aims set out, which are designed to achieve decarbonisation, environmental protection and enhancement, personal wellbeing and economic growth.
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for environment, said: “This touches every single community, every single business and every single resident.
“It recognises we all play our part in making our area a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable and attractive place to live, work and visit.”
From 2009 the council reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60 per cent, making savings of £12m in the process. In 2019 alone £1m a year in savings was made from its energy bills through a variety of projects, including replacing every streetlight with low cost, energy efficient LEDs.
The new policy is developed across four themes; net zero and sustainable energy, resources, waste and water management, natural environments, a shared responsibility and vision.
