Nottingham City Council has set itself an ambitious target of becoming the UK’s first carbon neutral city by 2028.
The council has already reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 39% since 2005 and is on track to meet its 2020 target of 20% of energy generation from low carbon sources.
It has also invested in one of the UK’s largest electric bus fleets, introduced a Workplace Parking Levy, installed solar panels on 4,500 domestic properties and retrofitted 400 homes with energy efficient measures.
The council’s portfolio holder for energy & environment, Cllr Sally Longford, said: ‘We need a shift in the way we produce and use energy, more sustainable management of waste and ways to travel and to look at things like shortening supply chains by buying goods and services locally.
‘We are looking at a range of schemes that involve innovative technology, such as installing large batteries that can store solar energy – initially at council premises but also exploring this for domestic properties too.’