“THE ONLY way to reach carbon neutrality is to change our materialistic lifestyle,” says leader of Wokingham Borough Council, John Halsall.
This comes as the Borough announced plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. Last month, the council launched a green survey for residents to suggest ideas to help hit the target.
“The borough is addressing carbon neutrality in different areas,” explained Cllr Halsall.
“In terms of energy, we are looking at creating solar farms, putting solar panels on schools, and hopefully creating an energy company of our own.
“Since I’ve been elected in May, the borough has planted 42,000 trees. We are in conversation with the Woodland Trust and are hoping to reach our target of planting a quarter of a million trees.”
It is hoped this will improve air quality, as well as increasing carbon capture.
Recycling has also seen an improvement in recent years.
“Our recycling percentage as a borough is now in the high 50s. The amount of waste that we now send to landfill is around 1%.
“And the response to food waste recycling has been phenomenal. When we create energy from food waste, 1kg in a caddy can power 270 homes.
“But even all of this won’t get us to carbon neutrality. The only way we can do it is if the world is prepared to change its material lifestyle.
“In order for Wokingham Borough to become carbon neutral by 2030, people will have to accept a huge change to their lives, and I’m not sure everyone is willing to do that,2 added Cllr Halsall.
“We need to be realistic about what we can and can’t do. The council cannot do this alone, we need the support of residents and companies to hit the target.”
