Wiltshire Council Invests £230K Annually in Green Electricity: A Commitment to Sustainability

Wiltshire Council is investing significantly in green electricity to meet its goal of becoming net zero by 2030. They’ve committed approximately £230,000 each year toward this initiative. This means they aim to balance the carbon dioxide they emit with what they can remove from the air.

Recently, the council shared that they pay an extra 1.154p for every kilowatt-hour of electricity to support renewable sources like solar, wind, and tidal energy. During a council meeting, some opposition members raised concerns about this extra cost. However, council leader Ian Thorn defended the expense, calling it a reasonable step toward their environmental goals.

Conservative group deputy leader Dominic Muns questioned what the £230,000 truly accomplishes. Thorn responded that this investment is crucial to reaching their net-zero target and part of a larger commitment made since they declared a climate emergency in 2019.

Since then, Wiltshire Council has made impressive strides, cutting their direct emissions by nearly 89% since 2014. Part of their strategy involves using electricity that supports renewable energy, which helps lower emissions calculations.

Councillor Paul Sample, who oversees environment and climate issues, highlighted the progress made. He noted that their carbon emissions are decreasing annually and that investments in cleaner, efficient buildings are both saving money and helping the planet.

Moreover, their efforts aim to inspire local residents and organizations to adopt similar practices. The council wants to lead by example, showing that meaningful changes can lead to both environmental benefits and cost savings.

Recent statistics underline the urgency for such measures. According to a 2023 global survey, nearly 70% of citizens express concern over climate change. This growing awareness among the public emphasizes the importance of council initiatives.

As communities face climate challenges, local governments like Wiltshire are stepping up. Their model could serve as a blueprint for other councils, proving that a commitment to sustainability can lead to real results, both in the environment and the community. For more on this initiative, you can check out the BBC report.

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