Nearly 60 cross-party local leaders, representing 35% of the UK population, have now committed to meeting net zero at least five years earlier than central government.
UK100’s ‘Net Zero Pledge’ is a commitment to neutralising council emissions by 2030 and those of their residents and businesses by 2045.
Brighton & Hove joined Warwick District Council, the London Borough of Lambeth, St Albans City and District Council, and Hammersmith & Fulham Council as the latest members to sign the pledge.
Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “With the UN climate talks, COP-26, being held in Glasgow later this year, there is no better time to join UK100. This is a UK network of locally elected leaders committed to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5°C by reducing the dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.
“COP-26 provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the most critical challenge of our time: to drastically reduce emissions and achieve what’s known as ‘carbon neutrality.’ This refers to balancing the amount of carbon we produce through things like transport and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere through actions like planting trees.
“The city’s commitment to net zero calls on everyone to transform the way we live and do things, from the ways we travel, eat and heat our homes, to how we make things, build and carry out business.
“I am proud that Brighton & Hove City Council has recently approved its 2030 Carbon Neutral Plan, outlining actions toward becoming carbon neutral two decades before Whitehall.
“We have many projects underway already, from providing a citywide electric vehicle charging network using renewable energy sources to installing low carbon heating systems in council homes and buildings.
“By becoming part of the UK100 network, I will be joining local leaders representing 20.4 million people across England and Scotland – around a third of the population – in urging Government to go faster and give local councils more powers to tackle the climate emergency.
“Together we will make our voices heard more urgently. Joining UK100 also makes us accountable. It gives us the opportunity to showcase the achievements of our city and learn from the successes of others, helping to make the transition to a carbon neutral city a reality.”
Read the full UK100 pledge on the campaign website.
