This week the Prime Minister launched a £2 billion plan to boost walking and cycling which will improve our health and wellbeing but will also mitigate climate change. This investment will build up infrastructure such as cycle lanes and bike racks, and promote cycling in schools. This work will help us reach our goal to make the UK net-zero. Since 2010, 99% of the UK's solar panels have been installed, and our coal-use has fallen from 70% to just 3%.
Even the Armed Forces are taking significant steps to change their environmental impact. This week I went aboard HMS Tamar, the fourth of five new Royal Navy offshore patrol vessels. The ship and her crew will protect UK interests at sea, including supporting British citizens abroad, and providing aid in the aftermath of natural disasters. Of course, HMS Tamar can also throw a punch; with a flight deck and an array of weaponry, so the ship can support a range of operations, from counter-piracy to anti-smuggling. All of this capability is aboard the greenest ship in the UK’s fleet, it is fitted with ‘catalytic converters’ to reduce nitrogen-based emissions by up to 95%.
Locally, we have a new Climate Officer at Chichester District Council (CDC) who has been hired to work towards achieving the council’s climate ambitions. Already CDC has developed an action plan, which hopes to decrease CO2 emissions by 10% year on year over the next five years. The council have put in place new EV charging points across the district, established air quality management zones, and have developed tree planting schemes. There are further plans in place to protect wildlife and improve biodiversity, including to connect the SDNP and the Harbour with wildlife corridors that will make wildlife more resilient to environmental change.
At County level, the entire core estate of the council now runs on renewable energy. One of their most impressive schemes is their solar schools' programme - 80 schools are fitted with panels, saving an average of £2,000 per year in bills per school – and collectively they produce the same energy output as the solar farm at Westhampnett.
We will continue to build on our collaboration to tackle climate change. At the end of the summer, I am hosting a climate summit that will bring together our community, both councils and other bodies like the SDNP to discuss and plan a greener future locally. If you are interested in attending please email my office, [email protected] to register your details.
