Councillors in Stafford have agreed to slash their own carbon net zero target.

Members of the council voted to change the date for the local authority to hit net zero from its own operations to 2035. The target date had previously been 2040.

The move means Stafford Borough Council will be looking to achieve net zero as an organisation five years earlier than originally planned.

It was in 2019 that the council declared a climate emergency with a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. But the change follows a motion to the council which stated that good progress was already being made towards the 2035 date.

Councillor Tony Pearce, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said: “One of our top priorities was the reduction of the council’s carbon footprint and working towards net zero. By bringing the target date forward we are demonstrating the importance of this priority and our aspiration towards achieving the target as soon as possible.”

Net zero refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gases produced by our activities - such as carbon dioxide - with the amount being actively removed from the atmosphere.

A report, discussed by elected Members at a meeting of the full council last week said it was important the council took action “as the changing climate is having a damaging impact on people, ecosystems and infrastructure.” The report described achieving net zero as ‘challenging’ and would also depend on successfully securing money from external grants.

Cllr Pearce added: “The council has an important part to play in addressing the impact its operations have on carbon emissions in the borough.

“We have to manage this alongside other actions that will adapt to, and mitigate, the impact of climate change - and as a local authority we need to help those in our communities that are most at risk from the harm of climate change.”

You can find more about the council’s climate change vision from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/Climate-Change-and-Green-Recovery

Press Release No 6236