Funding secured to aid council in reaching net zero
Lifestyle / Mon 20th Feb 2023 am28 11:39am
OVER £150,000 has been awarded to Essex County Council to help fight climate change and become a net zero county.
In October 2022, the County Council put two bids in to Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme fund, both of which were successful.
EssNet, which Essex leads in partnership with UK Power Networks, the University of Essex, Power Circle and UK Community Works, will receive £77,000.
Shift to Net Zero, on which Essex is a delivery partner along with EnergyPro Ltd, Surrey County Council, Kent County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council, will receive £86,000.
The purpose of the funding from Innovate UK is to support up to thirty areas develop a plan, with local authorities, to aid and accelerate their transition to net zero.
This will be done through innovative solutions that work around the barriers to implementation regarding power, heat and mobility.
To receive funding, Essex had to showcase a deep understanding of how to deliver net zero projects, whilst also realising and considering potential opportunities and barriers.
Due to the successful bids, Essex County Council can also apply for a phase two competition to earn further funding.
This funding will enable the council to continue its fight against climate change as it continues its mission to reach net zero by 2050.
Essex County Council Climate Czar, Cllr Peter Schwier, said: “This latest success highlights the council’s ambition when it comes to fighting climate change.
“Our responsibility to reach net zero is not something we are taking lightly in Essex, as we constantly look to go above and beyond to ensure we reach our targets.”
The council’s £200 million Climate Action Plan outlines how the council will work to reach net zero targets. The first Climate Action Annual Report in 2022 provided updates on the progress made by the council so far.
Nostradamus
2023-02-20 21:10:31
Note: these awards are peanuts: not a patch on the windfall profiteering energy companies, that being wasted on the toxic Sizewell C and Hinkley Point nuclear reactors to line pockets of EDF (the French government). Just shows how committed this Government is to ensuring energy security and combating Climate change. NOT.
Luke Burton
2023-02-20 22:54:16
Is that it? We need a proper green energy and sustainable transport strategy. Even if you ignore the climate argument it still makes perfect sense. Ensuring energy security and ensuring the roads are kept clear for those with a genuine need to use them.
Yasmin Gregory - Green Party Candidate for Old Harlow, Gilden Park, Churchgate Street & Newhall
2023-02-21 04:24:39
Is there an indication of how much Harlow will receive? In my experience Harlow are often left high and dry after Colchester, Tendring, Braintree and Basildon have had their slice of the pie. There is a serious problem with pollution in Harlow which is set to worsen; cutting down healthy, established trees, increasing traffic, congestion, a poor travel infrastructure, unsafe (for all users) roads all negatively impact on the health of the community. Over £70m was spent overall on completing J7a which has resulted in heavier traffic spread across the town. It’s extremely doubtful that Harlow will reach their net zero target.
David Forman
2023-02-21 09:32:04
Yasmin is correct about cutting down mature trees. New research from University College London shows that mature trees store twice as much carbon as previously thought. See research news at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/dec/uk-woodlands-could-store-almost-twice-much-carbon-previously-estimated
Adam
2023-02-21 16:56:19
Net Zero is insanity just please stop with it and the fake climate emergencies. it is all a con focused on control
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