Coventry’s Cabinet is set to approve its Climate Change Strategy that will cover the city until 2030.
The strategy sets out how the Council plans to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change, working alongside partners, businesses and communities to create a more sustainable city. The city’s Climate Change Board has been instrumental in helping to shape the strategy, alongside feedback from public consultation undertaken last year. The strategy outlines the challenges, but more importantly the opportunities tackling climate change will deliver to local people, ranging from lower bills, warmer homes, greener streets, cleaner air, more jobs and skills.
Coventry is currently delivering a range of projects while working towards the UK Government Net Zero target by 2050, with an interim target of 68% by 2030.
The strategy asks five key questions:
- How we adapt to weather changes caused by climate change and create more resilience in our infrastructure, services and systems?
- How we decarbonise our city including buildings, transport and industry and create a green economy?
- How we use resources more efficiently?
- How we tackle inequalities and deliver a just transition?
- How we address the ecological emergency, reverse the decline in nature and create a greener city?
The Strategy provides a foundation for how we will work with partners, businesses, organisations and communities to address climate change, which has many complex challenges which must be looked at holistically to deliver meaningful and lasting change.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “Coventry City Council, like all other local authorities across the country, has an important leadership role to play in tackling the causes and consequences of climate change.
“This strategy is just the beginning. It focuses on how to create opportunities for the whole city working in partnership with others to address a really wide range of issues- but all rooted in climate change. We need everyone to play their part; as residents, businesses, educators and organisations, our action plan sets out what you can do to help drive positive change.
“We are leading some really big projects in this area – putting us right at the heart of the green industrial revolution. We will be the first all-electric bus city, we have more on street charge points than any city outside London and of course we are pioneering Coventry Very Light Rail – a fully battery powered new transport system which could run on batteries produced at our gigafactory.
“What’s also clear here is that this new revolution, this green approach, will also lead to new good jobs for local people and if we get this right, and we will, it will help us ensure that we support the most in need in the city. Our partnership with E.ON is leading some really good work in this area – with work to help people heat their homes for less.”
Margot James, Chair of Coventry’s Independent Climate Change Board, said: “I am so proud of the work this board has done since its inception in 2021. We have seen the partnership grow from strength to strength, representing a huge breadth of expertise and passion for making a difference in Coventry.
“We are striving to shape the city’s vision and make key recommendations for how we can improve the environment in Coventry. Taking bold action will help create a better future for everyone, and the board will continue to have a key role in ensuring its success.”