Council is leading the way in the battle against climate change

BRIDGEND council is leading the way in its response to the challenges of climate change and achieving a position of net zero carbon as a public body by 2030.

The local authority has been working with the Carbon Trust to understand its carbon footprint and see where it can cut emissions.

Welsh Government declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and has since committed to achieving a carbon neutral public sector by 2030.

At a scrutiny meeting on July 19, councillors were provided with an update on the progress being made.

Councillor Richard Young, chairman of the Bridgend 2030 Decarbonisation Programme Board, said: “In developing a position of netzero carbon for council operations, we are seeking to undertake an innovative and radical decarbonisation programme across the local authority and in so doing, develop accurate, scientific and robust technical support to enable the delivery and achievement of this ambition.

“With Welsh Government guidance having only recently been published, we understand that we are the first local authority in Wales to be fully reviewing its carbon footprint and developing a decarbonisation strategy in line with the protocol.

“Bridgend county borough is really leading the way in terms of the Decarbonisation 2030 agenda.

“The next stages involve the completion of the Carbon Trust’s assessment on our usage of greenhouse gases, the establishment of a citizen’s assembly in the county borough to help feed into the process, and a consultation on the draft decarbonisation strategy. This will then come back to Cabinet and Council to approve the strategy and action plan.”