As the COP26 summit gets underway in Glasgow, locally the Isle of Wight Council is highlighting that it is already well underway to meet its own aims of a carbon-neutral Island by 2040.
The Council says it has recently adopted a Climate and Environment Strategy (September 2021), but has undertaken a number of actions already to:
- retrofit eligible housing with various heat management solutions including insulation, windows, draught proofing, etc. using the Green Homes Grant;
- review the Draft Island Planning Strategy, outlining environmentally sustainable requirements in new developments on the Island in line with the UK Environment Bill, including renewable energy and electric vehicle charging provision;
- secure funding for 10 new on-street Electric Vehicle charge points;
- rollout the ‘Warm Up Wight’ scheme which provides free insulation to eligible households; across the Island
- secure funding for a new e-bike loan and hire scheme starting this year, on top of the e-scooter trial that is already underway and a ‘cargo bike’ scheme.
- achieve a 56% household recycling rate
- plant over 400 trees in a ‘Planet Aware’ tree planting project.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for environment, heritage and waste, has said:
“With COP26 happening over the next couple of weeks, it’s a great time for us to celebrate all that we’ve achieved so far and highlight what we’ll be doing next.
“I know that Islanders are passionate about protecting and sustaining our environment – the natural beauty that we’re surrounded by is one of the reasons that many of us love to live here. Through the work that we’re doing and will do through our climate and environment strategy, we’ll not only be protecting our Island for future generations but enhancing our Biosphere and doing our bit for the rest of the world.”
Upcoming projects include:
- a ‘Woodland and Planting Plan’
- heat and energy decarbonisation projects at 12 council buildings, using funding received from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
- a ‘Mission Zero Hub’ is being developed, which will allow the council to partner with groups, communities, and individuals across the Island to work towards net zero targets
Bacon says…I know that Islanders are passionate about protecting and sustaining our environment – the natural beauty that we’re surrounded by is one of the reasons that many of us love to live here. Through the work that we’re doing and will do through our climate and environment strategy, we’ll not only be protecting our Island for future generations but enhancing our Biosphere and doing our bit for the rest of the world.….
well then bacon, put your words into action – prevent pennyfeathers and all other large scale housing projects that will ruin greenfields and ensure that the island creates more co2 and hinders the rest of the world.
Doesn’t matter if they’re on target. If they say they are, whatever that means, nobody ultimately cares because at present all there’s left to see is the carnage of disposables that the pandemic left and not a single one of those who claim to be on target will be in power in 2040 to be held accountable for what they said in 2021. Our kids and grandkids are up for a treat. Buckle up.
a woodland and planting plan… WHERE???
By the time they stop allowing huge developments to go ahead, there will be nowhere left.
Meanwhile back in the real world, FELL THOSE TREES!!
The UK is responsible for one per cent of global emmisions, all this meaningless drivel about carbon neutral is a ridiculous myth. Get in the real world! old lorry tyres burned every day of the year to clear forests for the out of control breeding, coal fired power stations opening at the rate of 4/5 a month in the far east, the list is endless. Meanwhile the island will still be swamped with “much needed housing” which destroys the local enviroment forever..
I doubt it very much
Everywhere you drive someone is burning rubbish etc
Look at some of the cars driving around, some ain’t had an oil change since they left the showroom
years ago.
Allegedly the aim is too BAN smoking & Vaping.
Next they will ban passing Wind
Something they do need to ban is the smoke pollution from wood burning stoves! Fed up of stinking of smoke from just walking outside because of the house nearby with a wood burner sending out smoke. the same for where my friend lives with his adjoining neighbour who stinks out the whole neighbourhood with her wood burner. I noticed the pic of Seely posted recently with his wood burner behind him. I doubt he will ever speak out for banning the things despite there being plans afoot to limit the use of them.
“I know that Islanders are passionate about protecting and sustaining our environment”. We are even more passionate about how we can afford to pay our council tax, why the hell should we be forced to pay to insulate other peoples homes?
I applied for the latest round of insulation as my wage is under 30k a year(not hard on the island), was pleased to be told i qualified and someone would be round to see what i could get. 3 weeks later i hadn’t heard anything so i emailed them to be told ‘ in 2015 you had loft insulation put in so that moved your energy rating from D to C, anything C and above doesn’t qualify’, so again it was a case of the workers get fuck all while those that choose handouts as a way of life, and I’ve heard them call it their ‘wages’, get everything and we pay for it even though most of us can’t afford to buy it at the astronomical prices being charged.
The Cowes Floating Bridge is already carbon neutral, its also transport neutral, I wish we were Isle of Wight Council neutral!
Projects? More ways to waste our money, all rhetoric, our council is the biggest waste of money that produces the worst service possible.
Surely they could switch off the heating in County Hall, there is enough hot air coming out of that place to heat the whole island, and even export the surplus. An income for us all.
COP26 = Collection of pratts?