Local action on climate change inspired by net zero 2030 target for Reading
Reading Borough Council celebrates 74% reduction in carbon emissions across 16 years.
To support their ambitious net zero 2030 target, Reading Borough Council have received funding for 119 projects through the England Recycling Fund. Works have largely centred around LED lighting and other energy efficiency upgrades at a multitude of buildings including libraries, primary schools, community venues, offices, children’s centres and more.
Cllr John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport at Reading Borough Council, said: “The England Recycling Fund has helped the council deliver almost 120 energy-saving projects in Reading in the last 16 years.”
The England Recycling Fund has helped the council deliver almost 120 energy-saving projects in Reading in the last 16 years.
A total loan value of £1,821,494, has supported the projects which, when combined, are projected to save the council £384,198 in annual energy bills and 2,167 tonnes of carbon emissions every single year.
Works have been driven by a comprehensive climate emergency strategy, which the council launched in November 2020. The strategic document sets out the pathway to achieving their net zero ambitions.
As a part of this pathway, the council have recognised the need to lead by example to reduce their own emissions and encourage their residents to do the same. So far, they have lowered their own emissions from their 2008 baseline by 74%, with their aim being to reach a 85% reduction by 2025.
A large proportion of their recycling fund works focused on upgrades applied to schools, with many Victorian buildings across their estate. These works are now being recognised not only for paving the way for a low-emission future, but also for making the classrooms a more welcoming, inviting environment for the staff and students.
Cllr Ennis added: “Reading has a large proportion of schools with Victorian buildings which tend to be draughty, difficult to heat efficiently and challenging sites on which to install renewable heating sources.
“Accessing this funding has helped us deliver our ongoing programme of school improvements which has reduced energy use and supported the council’s ambition for Reading to be net zero by 2030.
“The projects have also helped Reading schools to save money on energy bills and provide pupils with a warmer and more comfortable learning environment.”
Recycling fund works have been further supplemented by council-directed sustainability initiatives and funding through multiple phases of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The England Recycling Fund and Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme are delivered by Salix on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The projects have also helped Reading schools to save money on energy bills and provide pupils with a warmer and more comfortable learning environment.
About the England Recycling Fund
The England Recycling Fund is a loan-based, ring-fenced fund, created with capital provided on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero through Salix, and matched by the public sector organisation. It encourages organisations to re-invest financial savings that result from projects into further decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects, thus operating in a cyclic “recycled” manner.
The scheme has been closed to new applications since 2010. However, since that time we have continued to support organisations with open funds to complete thousands of projects worth more than £267 million through the scheme.
The average fund has been recycled more than three times, and, when combined, our recycling fund projects save over 296,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every single year.
The fund is closing at the end of the 2024/25 financial year, with any projects funded through the scheme required to complete by 31 March 2025.
