Council formally adopts Climate Action Plan

The council hopes to become a carbon net zero council by 2030 and the plan sets out a clear vision for reducing the authority’s carbon footprint.

Sustainability West Midlands has recognised the work Dudley Council is undertaking to cut carbon emissions more widely in the borough, this includes delivery of a programme to convert 30,000 streetlights to LED and the installation of 50 electric vehicle charging points across the borough.

Over the last 12 months, Dudley Council has procured three electric quad bikes for street and green care, transferred its energy supply to a green energy tariff, and converted some of the lighting in corporate buildings to LED.

The next phase of major initiatives planned include the roll out of carbon literacy training to council staff and elected members, seeking opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint, trialling paperless offices and delivering biodiversity enhancements on council owned land.

Dudley Council is the first in the region to secure funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority for a Net Zero Neighbourhoods pilot. This will see 300 homes sustainably retrofitted with loft, cavity and solid wall insulation, solar PV, electric vehicle street charging points, community food growing initiatives and nature-based solutions such as green roofs.

Balvinder Heran, deputy chief executive at Dudley Council, said:

“Dudley council declared a climate emergency in 2020 and it has now formally adopted this action plan, with clear steps on how it will play its part in the fight against climate change.

“Tomorrow, organisations across the world have been marking Earth Hour and Dudley Council is pleased to release its action plan at this critical time.

"The action plan explores how local businesses, organisations and residents can work together to make positive changes in the borough.”

For more information people can visit www.dudley.gov.uk/climate