How city is set to make a difference in 2020
TODAY the Telegraph is asking readers to #Do1Thing to help tackle the climate crisis.
Many of us are already conscious of the need to protect the environment more and have taken to recycling, car sharing, and other energy saving measures.
And just as individuals are already taking action, Coventry as a city has also taken steps in the right direction to help stem the emissions fuelling the climate crisis.
After years of campaigners trying to get environmental issues into the mainstream of discussions, could 2020 be the year we’re finally about to see real change in Coventry?
From air pollution to veganism, caring for the environment is something that’s now on everyone’s minds, and everyone wants to do their bit.
But what changes will we see soon, and locally, here in Coventry?
We’ve taken a look at what 2020 will bring...
A date for Coventry to become net carbon neutralMore and more cities across the UK are making a commitment to become net carbon neutral.
This means that the city’s carbon emissions are being balanced out by an equivalent amount of carbon savings.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, Nottingham has committed to becoming the first net carbon neutral city in the UK, and wants to achieve this by 2028.
Bristol has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Coventry is lagging somewhat and is yet to commit to a date.
However Coventry City Council wants 2020 to be the year that the city sets down date to achieve carbon neutral status.
A new Climate Change Strategy – Coventry was one of the first cities to produce a Climate Change Strategy. The current strategy, which was published in April 2012 ends this year and a new one is set to be launched by the end of 2020.
There will be a lot of engagement with residents, businesses, organisations and the universities to make sure this is fit for purpose and Coventry City Council says it wants to lead by example.
A spokesman said: “Tackling climate change is one of the most important issues of our time, as we can make the changes to help save our planet as we know it. It isn’t just a ‘green’ issue it is a social and economic one too. The opportunities that it brings are vast and revolutionary.
“The new Climate Change Strategy for Coventry will ensure that Coventry is at the forefront of low carbon innovation and that decarbonisation benefits the economy and ensures that a sustainable, clean and green future for generations to come.”
Reducing emissions – The city council has been monitoring its carbon footprint since 2008 and set a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 35 per cent by 2020.
It achieved this in 2015/16. Now, the council is developing a new emissions reduction target.
Electric buses – In February
2019 it was announced that Coventry City Council and National Express had won more than £2m in government funding to invest in cleaner and greener buses.
National Express has confirmed that they expect the buses to be delivered in April - and, after testing on routes, they should be up and running by the summer.
As well as providing a smoother ride for passengers, there will be no engine noise and no emissions, meaning they are much better for the environment.
Taxi targets – From June 2020, new requirements are set to come into force making Coventry’s taxi’s more environmentally-friendly.
The city council said it’s all part of plans to help reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide, and help meet a pledge for all buses and taxis in Coventry to be low-emission by 2021. The requirements will mean that only Euro 4 engines will have their licences renewed, and new applicants will have to have engines with zero emission capability.