… READING’S PATHWAY TO NET ZERO BY 2030 14 4.1 Reading’s energy demand and priorities on the pathway to net zero 14 4.2 The pathway to net zero in numbers for energy use in the built environment 14 4.3 Decarbonising power supply and the need for Reading to ‘go electric’ 15 4.4 Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic 15 5.0 DELIVERING THE STRATEGY 17 5.1 The role of the Reading Climate…
…, and commitment to the goal of a net zero carbon Reading by 2030, our community has embraced the call to action laid down by the IPCC. Reading has a proud history of taking action on climate change – since 2005, carbon emissions per person have fallen by 52% in the borough, the 4th largest reduction of any local authority in England. Reading Borough Council has reduced its own carbon footprint by 62.5…
…% since 2008 and many other partners in Reading have made significant steps on the journey to net zero carbon. But we know these impressive achievements are not enough. We must now re-double our efforts to accelerate the journey towards a net zero carbon Reading in the short time which the science suggests is available. The 2018 IPCC report also highlighted the many benefits to people…
… to the climate emergency represents a major opportunity. The transition to net zero carbon also needs to be a just transition, so that the costs and benefits are apportioned fairly. This is really important to bear in mind as we think about people whose home has been flooded, whose health has suffered or whose children have asked whether they have a future they can look forward to: for them the impacts…
… a moment too soon. The aim of the Reading Climate Change Partnership in producing this strategy is to set out a clear pathway to a net zero carbon, resilient Reading and to harness the commitment of everybody who lives, works, studies or plays in Reading to work together to achieve this ambition. In this sense we believe that the Partnership is truly what it describes: a close collaboration…