East Cambridgeshire District Council is making its next steps towards net zero carbon emissions by making two big green energy switches in its buildings and car parks.

Since 1 October, the Council’s head office, the Grange and its commercial buildings based in Ely and Littleport have switched to a 100 percent renewable energy green tariff electricity contract.

The council have been changing all of the lights in all of its owned car parks to have LED bulbs.

The moves to switch to renewable energy sources and LED lighting are two of 20 commitments of the Action Plan that forms part of a long-term vision to mitigate climate change and boost the natural environment in East Cambridgeshire.

It comes two weeks after council members voted in favour of adopting a new Natural Environment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and agreeing to consult, from 13 October, on a Climate Change SPD. 

Other commitments on the action plan include embedding a greater culture of home working to reduce commuting (which is already in full force due to COVID-19) and to investigate the potential to expand electric car charge points in the district.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, Chairman of the Operational Services Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, who is the committee responsible for the Council’s action plan said:

“We are pleased that there is tangible and regular progress being made towards our ambitious actions."

“By pushing forward with these commitments, we are ensuring that East Cambridgeshire remains a great place to live, work and visit for years to come."

“I’m looking forward to seeing our continued progress over the next few months.”

Councillor David Brown, Chairman of the Finance and Assets Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, who is responsible for the council’s buildings and car parks, said:

“We must make changes in all the different ways we can, including our assets."

“These changes to 100 per cent renewable energy for our electricity and LED lighting is just two of the many actions we, as a council, are taking to ensure East Cambridgeshire reaches net zero carbon by 2050 or earlier."

“We hope other councils follow suit to help tackle climate change and boost the natural environment.”

The council is now looking at its gas usage to see if the carbon emissions arising can be offset through tree planting or other measures, as well as replacing the council-owned street lighting to LED bulbs.

Find out more about East Cambridgeshire District Council’s strategy and action plan to help mitigate climate change and boost the natural environment.