A blueprint for a net zero district by 2041 has been unanimously backed by cabinet members.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s carbon plan sets out 54 actions to tackle the urgent challenges posed by climate change and ecological decline; achieving a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Measures include decarbonising electricity generation through renewables, shifting building heating towards low-carbon sources and improving public transport and cycling infrastructure.
Residents’ suggestions such as supporting low-income and vulnerable households – as well as localised approaches including urban cooling and flood risk reduction – have also been added to the collaborative document.
They will all play a role in hitting the new district-wide net zero target date of 2041: a goal deemed both ambitious and achievable by the vast majority of 450+ public consultation respondents.
And while the council has limited direct control (it’s own operations accounting for just 0.4% of total emissions in the district), it wants to play a key role in supporting, enabling and influencing action across Folkestone & Hythe.
Cllr Stephen Scoffham – Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Biodiversity – said: “Our shared vision is for an energy-resilient district where green jobs are created to support a vibrant local economy.
“We aim for robust local businesses and supply chains, equitable and energy-efficient homes ready for extreme weather, enriched biodiversity, strong public infrastructure and clean, green streets free from pollution, litter and plastic.
“But we don’t want this to become a strategy that just gathers dust on the shelf – it’s now about working together with government support, private investment and community action.
“There are very real and positive actions we can all take to transition to the low-carbon district so many people want to achieve.
“The carbon plan supports the council's newly adopted corporate plan (Our District: Our World) and relates directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
Folkestone & Hythe District Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has been working on reducing its emissions ever since, with the aim to be net zero across its operations by 2030.