Wirral Council's Climate Emergency Efforts Slow as Progress Falters

Strategic Insights -

Wirral Council is committed to reaching net zero by 2030, but progress has slowed due to the completion of 'low-cost, quick-win' actions, leaving more complex and expensive changes to be made. An update to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee confirmed that emissions reductions in 2023-24 and 2024-25 have fallen short of targets. Despite this, the council is reviewing the Environment and Climate Emergency Action Plan, outlining steps for the coming year, including improving energy efficiency in council buildings and expanding heat networks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Wirral Council aims to reach net zero by 2030, but emissions reductions in 2023-24 and 2024-25 have fallen short of targets.
  • The council has exceeded its annual targets for the first three years since declaring a climate emergency in July 2019, but progress has plateaued since then.
  • The 'low-cost, quick-win' actions have been completed, leaving more complex and expensive changes to be made, such as switching council buildings and vehicles from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
  • The council has secured two rounds of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding, including £900,000 for a project at Wirral Country Park and Landican Cemetery, and £13.75m for nine additional council buildings.
  • The council has 66 Green Flag schools and 25 schools nationally with Hedgehog Friendly Campus status, both of which are considered successes.
  • Councillor Liz Grey, chair of the committee, emphasized the importance of the Eco Schools programme and its impact on young people's environmental awareness.

Statistics:

  • £900,000: The amount of funding secured for the first round of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme for work at Wirral Country Park and Landican Cemetery.
  • £13.75m: The amount of funding secured by the council for the second round of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
  • 66: The number of Green Flag schools in Wirral.
  • 25: The number of schools nationally with Hedgehog Friendly Campus status, out of 41 total schools.

Sources:

  • [Wirral Council's Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee report]
  • [Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme]
  • [Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme]