The Plan identifies a series of recommended actions suitable for everyone from individuals and households, to business and local government. Across Shropshire both Councils have declared climate emergencies and have set a 2030 target for becoming carbon neutral.
This year, the UK hosts the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. This bold plan intends to help Shropshire contribute to national and international climate action, by delivering a net-zero Shropshire by 2030.
Allan Wilson, Chair of Shropshire Climate Action Partnership (SCAP) says: “We know the scale of the challenge, but also that we have the ability to meet it, working together”.
Shropshire has a carbon footprint close to 6 million tonnes of CO2 (MtCO2e) per year (about 12 tonnes per person). SCAP have highlighted in their report the dire consequences of not reducing this to zero by 2030. We are optimistic about Shropshire if all sectors work together on an emergency footing. Whilst the Plan identifies about 70% of the changes needed to be successful, work will continue in 2021 to create a more comprehensive plan.
Mr Wilson emphasises the urgency of action: “Immediate actions are recommended from January 2021 that will achieve significant reductions if acted upon by households, businesses and councils across Shropshire. Time is pressing, and the biggest risk is failure to mobilise on the necessary scale for immediate implementation”.
But he also highlights the positive opportunity: “The zero-carbon journey for Shropshire represents the biggest commercial opportunity of our time, and offers an excellent opportunity for employment and sustainable economic growth”. Shropshire has tremendous renewable energy resources which can be developed. There is great potential for improving our energy efficiency, delivering a network of electric vehicle charging points and other positive investments in our future. We welcome people’s comments to our first plan, while working with us to develop it further. We need everyone in Shropshire to be involved in this now”.
“We are asking people to initially measure their own individual and their family’s carbon footprint, and then adopt the simple achievable steps in our plan to work towards a zero carbon future.”
Richard Grindle, CEO at Shropshire Wildlife Trust and committee member of SCAP adds, "Shropshire was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution; we now have an opportunity to take the lead once again, in ending our dependence on fossil fuels. This plan sets out what needs to be done in the next ten years if we are to do so".
Join the partnership on the website and pledge your support: https://zerocarbonshropshire.org/sign-up/
