Liverpool is currently ahead of schedule in its effort to meet climate change targets.
According to recent government statistics, the city has already achieved an 18 per cent reduction in carbon emissions in the past four years.
A number of energy saving initiatives and investment in renewables could double to 35% by 2020 – far surpassing the 20% target set by the EU Covenant of Mayors, with the Mayor of Liverpool saying the city should aim to be the greenest city in the UK.
The figures have been revealed in a report to Liverpool City Council’s Regeneration Select Committee, who will discuss the findings tomorrow, which shows Liverpool is in one of the UK’s best performing cities in reducing its carbon footprint.
Since 2012, Liverpool has seen a 550% rise in registered renewable energy installations and has produced 558,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 at a rate of 70,000 tonnes per year – the same volume as 280,000 double decker buses!
Local actions that have driven improvements include: improving the energy efficiency of local buildings and street lighting; making it easier for people to travel without using fossil based fuels and actions such as increased recycling and the creation of energy from waste.
The report also highlighted that the positive downward trend in emissions and energy consumption has continued as the city has entered a boom in construction – which could signal a symbolic de-coupling between economic growth and the growth of carbon emissions.
Its publication follows the news that just last month the UK generated more clean renewable energy than dirty, fossil fuel non-renewable energy for the first time in a 24 hour period and the city is now seeking how it can continue to support that national drive over the next decade.
The new report is recommending the city council presses ahead with a series of initiatives to continue the drive to a “Low Carbon Liverpool” by setting an increased carbon reduction target by 2030.
This would be underpinned by an updated Liverpool Sustainable Energy Action plan, to be reviewed by the committee every two years, and the development of a Mayoral Low Carbon Economy Challenge document to be issued to business and industry, based around best practice.
The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “I want Liverpool to be the greenest city in the UK – to be a beacon for others to be inspired by.
“A low carbon economy makes total sense on an environmental, financial and health level – and we are already beginning to reap the dividends even in just the short period since I signed the city up to the EU Mayoral Covenant.
“What really excites me is the will to achieve more across both the public and private sectors and thanks to this report we can have the confidence to press ahead and make some truly monumental decisions that will transform Liverpool’s position to a world leader in carbon reduction.”