Wiltshire Council Leads the Charge: How They’re Outpacing Others on the Path to Net Zero

The second edition of the Council Climate Action Scorecards from Climate Emergency UK reveals that only 62% of local councils in the UK scored above 50% on their climate action criteria. This assessment looked at 90 different factors.

Local councils play a vital role in the UK’s journey to net zero, influencing up to 30% of the transition. However, most are falling short of their 2030 targets. This report highlights the urgent actions needed to reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and improve public transport.

Isaac Beevor from Climate Emergency UK emphasized that proper funding and legal requirements from the government can significantly boost council efforts. He argues that this support could help councils improve their climate actions by over six percentage points in under two years.

Richard Clewer, leader of the Conservative group at Wiltshire Council, pointed out that while the government aims for net zero by 2050, they aren’t adequately providing the resources that local authorities need for change. Clewer noted that communities require funding for better public transport, improved home insulation, and affordable local food.

Wiltshire Council scored an average of 53%, ranking it 32nd out of 391 councils. It performed well in addressing building and heating emissions, scoring 82%, which is above the national average of 54%. However, when it came to transport initiatives, it lagged behind with a score of just 13%.

On a positive note, the council excelled in collaboration, achieving a score of 76%, and scored well in planning and biodiversity initiatives. Unfortunately, it struggled in waste reduction, only managing a 7% score.

The data was gathered before recent local council elections, which led to changes in administration. Cllr Paul Sample, the cabinet member for environment and waste, expressed pride in Wiltshire’s high ranking. He mentioned plans to introduce a new waste collection contract by 2027, which includes weekly food waste collection and enhanced recycling services.

The council also aims to reduce car travel and enhance public transport options. Their recent Local Transport Plan includes support for electric bikes and potential control over local bus services to better meet community needs.

Looking ahead, Wiltshire is set to co-host the inaugural Climate and Environment Summit, bringing together various community groups to share ideas and foster collaboration. This event is a promising opportunity to generate fresh solutions for local climate challenges.

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