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Council making progress to reach carbon neutrality
Since creating a Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) in 2020, Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has made good progress in reaching carbon neutrality.
The local authority has now refreshed the CEAP, setting out a plan of actions to help further reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the borough.
In 2019, TVBC declared a climate emergency following a warning that urgent global action was needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming, to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
The 2020 CEAP identified ways to cut emissions through the council’s work and provide a platform to help businesses and residents make a difference.
The council have made progress in delivering some of the actions from the original CEAP, including completing the review of the potential for renewable and low carbon energy sources within the borough, moving from diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil and electric vehicles amongst our fleet vehicles which saw a significant drop in emissions, and planting thousands of trees.
A project to totally transform TVBC’s Bourne House depot in Romsey and slash the building’s carbon emissions was also completed in 2024. A new air source heat pump, solar panels, additional insulation and LED lighting were installed.
Communities and businesses in the borough have also been encouraged to help with decarbonisation in the borough through grants, such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Test Valley Rural Net Zero Business Service, in partnership with IncuHive, to assist businesses on their net zero journey.
The refreshed action plan sets out plans until 2027, to coincide with same time frame as the local authority’s Corporate Plan. The 39 actions have been split into three groups; council emissions, borough emissions, and engagement, education and awareness.
They include actions such as:
- plan and deliver the new theatre in Andover to operate as close to being carbon neutral as possible,
- produce guidance on heritage assets for energy efficiency and renewable energy proposals,
- continue to work with partners through local resilience forums to include appropriate consideration of risks associated with climate change.
To read the full refreshed CEAP visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/climateemergency.
Acting Portfolio Holder for Climate Emergency & Countryside, Councillor Nick Lodge, said: “I’m very proud of the work we’ve done since the first publication of our Climate Emergency Action Plan, including our recent big steps to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The execution of our practical projects and feasibility studies has taught us much about all aspects of energy efficiency and carbon management, as well as the value of working with local businesses and residents. Such knowledge will help us as we forge ahead with our decarbonisation challenges.
“More than ever before, the council is aware of the potential consequences of climate change and the strategies necessary to mitigate them. We all remain committed to playing our part in protecting the environment for future generations.”
Cllr Neil Gwynne, Liberal Democrat leader, added: “It is really encouraging to see the progress that has been made since the first action plan was put together five years ago. We are lucky in Test Valley to have a council that works across parties effectively, and some of our progress would not have been achieved without that.
“The refreshed plan sets out some ambitious but achievable objectives and I look forward to seeing further work taking place over the next few years.”