… of Wolverhampton Council became the first local authority in the Black Country to declare a Climate Emergency • The council has made a commitment to reduce its CO2 levels to net zero by 2028, and to ensure all strategic decisions and budgets are in line with the shift to net carbon zero • However, the council recognises that tackling climate change at a local level will require a holistic, ‘whole city…
… by the council’s ambitions for tackling climate change and the progress already made and called for wider communications around these plans. Participants were particularly impressed by the council’s net zero target and wanted to see more active engagement with residents to get them involved. Residents were broadly positive about the policies proposed by the council in each of the areas of council, city…
… not ‘Wolverhampton’s doing this’… we might all know that here but how many people out there don’t know about it?” Sensitivity: NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Residents were surprised by the extent of the council’s climate activity and its target to have net zero carbon emissions by 2028 26BritainThinks | Private and Confidential Low awareness of the announcement Impressed by the ambition of the council…
… in transitioning its vehicle fleet to renewable energy “They should tell you when you go into their buildings, that these are buildings which are net zero.” Sensitivity: NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Residents wanted to know where funding for more costly changes would come from 27BritainThinks | Private and Confidential Low awareness of the announcement Impressed by the ambition of the council…
… Mixed views about the language of ‘emergency’ Concerns about the impact on costs and other services A desire to see other parties more involved • There were concerns about the impact on council tax as well as whether other council would services would suffer in a rush to meet the net zero target • There was little knowledge about opportunities for funding of climate change…