Three Rivers approves Climate Change and Sustainability Report

Updated: 10 March 2020

Three Rivers District Council agreed the Climate Change and Sustainability Report at Full Council on Tuesday 25 February 2020

Three Rivers District Council agreed the Climate Change and Sustainability Report at Full Council on Tuesday 25 February 2020. It sets out the organisational ambitions in relation to climate change, achievements so far and what initiatives could form part of the new strategy with further research, consultation and partnership working with the community.

Tackling climate change will be a challenge for the next decade and beyond. It will take extensive planning and far reaching change. However, it also presents a new opportunity to create exactly the kind of future we want to see, as we transform our society to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2030. The Council is committed to continue to build on the achievements of the Green Expectations Strategy 2015-2019, whilst also developing new projects to make a lasting difference.

The Council has already increased the energy efficiency of our buildings and assets; enhanced natural habitats, begun working towards gaining a fourth Green Flag in 2020, and improved the local nature reserve and woodlands. Recycling rates in Three Rivers are now at 63%, the highest in Hertfordshire and third highest in the country. It is also taking part in the Hertfordshire Refill Scheme with Waste Aware aiming to help both visitors and residents reduce plastic pollution.

Phil Williams, Lead Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, said: “Three Rivers has made significant progress in a number of areas both internal and externally, from reducing energy use to enhancing biodiversity; from waste and recycling to reducing water use. We continue to work with our staff and residents to further encourage and enable sustainable behaviour within our district.”

The new strategy will cover key themes, and identify the meaningful contributions we can continue make towards tackling the climate emergency. This includes; Energy and Low Carbon, Natural Environment & Biodiversity, Water and Flooding, Waste and Recycling, Sustainable Transport, Sustainable Procurement, Education, Communication and Community. Promoting and enabling sustainable behaviours in the community and offsetting carbon through tree planting to balance out the carbon footprint remain the key areas which will make a substantial difference to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.