Cheshire East Council pledges borough to be carbon neutral by 2045

Cheshire East Council has pledged to become a carbon neutral borough by 2045, five years ahead of the national net zero target.

The council’s commitment builds on an existing pledge for its own operations to be carbon neutral by 2025 and lead the way in driving down CO2 emissions across the region.

The council’s environment and communities committee have been recommended to join the UK100 network, which brings together local authorities across the country around a common climate change pledge of bringing down emissions by 2045, with a minimum of offsetting (whereby emissions are cancelled out by carbon-positive schemes such as tree planting).

Cllr Mick Warren, chair of the environment and communities committee, said,

“Local authorities have shown significant leadership by setting net zero targets that are years ahead of national legislation.

“The carbon reduction projects we have in place and that are in the planning stages will make a significant contribution towards reducing and offsetting our emissions – but we recognise that we need to do more. Joining UK100 means that the voice of Cheshire East, along with the voices of other local leaders, can be amplified via collective advocacy to national government.

“Achieving net zero targets is not something that any one person or organisation can do alone. Avoiding the worst effects of climate change is a significant challenge and there must be a collective effort by everyone across the borough to take the necessary action to protect the future of not only Cheshire East, but that of the planet.

“Membership of UK100 will provide tailored insights, evidence and recommendations on the challenges to local net zero. This will help us to broaden our projects and implement the solutions needed to further reduce carbon emissions across Cheshire East, with an aim of being a carbon neutral borough by 2045.”