How Reading is doing
Our plan is arranged in a series of six themes covering key impacts, plus two cross-cutting themes covering engagement and adaptation
Energy
Taking action on energy and low-carbon development
Our aim is that by 2025 Reading is taking urgent action to decarbonise its energy networks, increase energy efficiency and create renewable energy capacity. It has concrete plans to reduce demand and increase renewables capacity to cover 100% of energy needs.
Transport
Taking action on transport and mobility
Our aim is to cut emissions by reducing the need to travel by more polluting modes of transport, shifting more journeys to sustainable modes of transport and supporting the transition from petrol/diesel to electric vehicles.
Water
Taking action to conserve water and minimise flood risk
Reading aims to become the most water aware and water efficient town in the UK, going beyond national targets in water conservation, while helping people
Nature
Taking action on the natural environment and open spaces
By 2025 the people of Reading will live in a greener town with open spaces that store more carbon as well as giving shade for hot summers, corridors for wildlife and some flood control. New developments will include biodiversity net gain and better soil management.
Health
Taking action on health and wellbeing
By 2025, people in Reading will be well informed about how to self-manage the health impacts of climate change, benefiting from policies and programmes that enable them to thrive despite its effects.
Resources
Taking action to reduce consumption and waste
Our aim is to put Reading on track to become a zero waste town by 2030 by innovating to find new ways of using resources more efficiently and thereby minimising our contribution to climate change.
Adaptation
Preparing Reading for the impacts of climate change
The Reading Climate Change Partnership commissioned a first adaptation plan for Reading in February 2020 . This is not a detailed action plan, rather, it indicates headline climate impacts for Reading by the end of the century, describing the big picture risks alongside the opportunities for the town to adapt.
Engagement
Inspiring and equipping everybody in Reading to take action
Our goal for climate action in our community is that everyone who lives, works or studies in Reading understands Reading’s pathway to net zero carbon, is equipped with the knowledge, tools and support required to make their contribution to it, and takes ownership and responsibility for the corporate and individual action required to get there.
Summary
A summary of the 2020-25 Reading Climate Emergency Strategy
This is not a detailed action plan, rather, it indicates headline climate impacts for Reading by the end of the century, describing the big picture risks alongside the opportunities for the town to adapt. It sets out key steps for consideration in each category of adaptation and recommends a number of areas of work to improve Reading’s resilience to climate impacts.
The Journey
Here’s how we worked with citizens and organisations to develop our climate emergency strategy and action plan
Net zero
Why is it important that Reading becomes a net zero town?
The science is clear that taking urgent action to reduce emissions is a practical imperative. While the challenges associated with reaching the net zero by 2030 target will be significant, so will be the benefits.
How you can help us achieve it
Delivery of our vision for net zero carbon by 2030 depends on everybody who lives, works and studies in the town taking action.
Organisations
Learn how to make the change as an organisation in Reading
60
Organisations in Reading have already joined our network
Together, we can achieve so much more … join us today and take action to support our goal of a net zero, climate resilient town
