Local authorities in Gloucestershire have joined forces to reduce transport emissions and achieve net zero goals.

Councils in Gloucestershire set what they describe as ‘a significant milestone’ by signing an agreement to work together on a county-wide project to tackle transport decarbonisation and achieve net zero emissions by 2045.

The agreement was signed by Gloucestershire County Council, along with all the district councils in the region including Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council, and Tewkesbury Borough Council.

Transport accounts for 34% of CO2 emissions in Gloucestershire, with cars being responsible for 58% of transport-related emissions. To meet the region's 2030 goal of 80% emissions reduction, the project will aim to shorten car trips by 7.5%, reduce overall trips by 7.5%, increase ride-sharing to 2.5%, boost active travel by 300%, raise public transport use by 100%, and increase the number of electric vehicles on the road.

Developed with the net zero network of councils, UK100, the agreement outlines plans for sustainable transport and land use, including the integration of new housing developments alongside active travel options and aligning Local Plans and Local Transport Plans with the ambitions of the county's transport decarbonisation plan.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: ‘We are proud of our sustainable transport plans for Gloucestershire and that together with our district councils, we have today agreed to align our efforts to encourage shifts in travel behaviour.

‘We will achieve this by delivering on our exciting projects including The Robin, the rollout of 1000 EV charging points, our flagship 26-mile cycle spine and the Arle Court Transport Hub. This statement of shared intent is a vital step towards achieving our ambitious goals and creating a cleaner, greener future for all our residents.’

Cllr Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, added: ‘I am excited to be a part of this historic project to reduce surface transport emissions and help achieve our district-wide decarbonisation goals. Our city has a rich history, and we are committed to preserving it for future generations by reducing our own contribution to global warming and investing in adaptation measures to limit the impacts of the extreme weather events we are increasingly experiencing.

‘We have already made great progress on reducing transport emissions from Gloucester City Council staff through our Agile Working policy and Green Travel Plan and will take these lessons into our forthcoming Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.’

Christopher Hammond, membership & insights director at UK100, commented: ‘This is a shining example of Local Government’s leadership in the fight against climate change. By aligning transport strategies with local development plans, the region will be able to provide sustainable homes and decarbonise the journeys across the county.

‘This united effort in Gloucestershire to reduce emissions and improve air quality is exactly what we need to see more of in order to make real progress towards a sustainable future. It won’t be easy to realise their ambition, but it is a testament to the power of local action and the positive impact it can have on our communities and the environment.’