CLIMATE groups in Winchester have released their priorities for helping the district become carbon-neutral by 2030.
Winchester Action on the Climate Crisis (WinACC) met with Winchester City Council on Monday, January 16 to share the charity’s findings on what needs to be done to reach the city’s carbon-neutrality goal.
In WinACC’s presentation to the cabinet member for climate emergency, Cllr Kelsie Learney, trustee Chris Holloway set out the charity’s five top principles for urgent and effective climate action.
These included: consistent and assertive leadership from councillors and climate leaders, a focus on actions which will have the biggest and quickest impact, following best practice of other local authorities, removing barriers to climate change and building partnerships to better work on priorities.
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Trustee and former chair, Ms Holloway, said: “The council has limited powers and budget. We need a standing conference of major partners which agrees on the top priorities for the district, and works together to make them a reality.”
Director Jo Crocker said: “WinACC will be pleased to work with and support the council in reviewing all the ideas and data they’ve got from their consultants, from the climate assembly, and from us. Only by working together can we harness the power of people, business and public bodies to tackle the crisis on the climate.”
The meeting was also attended by climate assembly organiser Francesca Singer Ince of Winchester Together for our Planet.
The climate assembly leader said: "People at the assembly wanted urgent action and supported the council in going greener, faster.
“The assembly was of one voice: everyone needs to play their part, and there is no time to lose. So we welcome this opportunity to show that people will support the council in making the urgent changes needed to lead the district to a carbon neutral, climate-friendly future."
The consensus from the city’s first climate assembly in October was that people wanted to see fossil fuels replaced with renewable energy generated locally. Additionally, participants shared hopes for stronger action on reducing transport emissions, with more options for pedestrians and cyclists.
Similarly, WinACC is pushing for more renewable energy but said: “Rooftop solar panels, which everyone supports, aren’t enough. We also need solar farms and wind power."
The charity believes investments and borrowing money for renewable energy will lead to long-term savings.
The environment organisation also mirrored the assembly’s suggestion of incentives to encourage people to leave their cars at home. Ideas included funding better bus services through higher car parking charges and low-traffic neighbourhoods.
Another priority for WinACC is ensuring new homes and buildings are net zero in line with the draft Local Plan. Meanwhile, the charity wants funding to help current homes become more energy-efficient and cleaner by shifting from burning wood, oil and gas to electricity.
Since declaring a climate emergency in June 2019, the council has been working to reduce its carbon footprint.
Winchester City Council is holding an online open forum on carbon neutrality on Wednesday, February 8 at 6.30pm. For tickets go to eventbrite.co.uk/e/carbon-neutrality-open-forum-a-carbon-neutrality-roadmap-for-winchester-tickets.
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