West Berkshire Council has published its latest Environment Strategy Annual Progress Report, showing strong progress in reducing carbon emissions and delivering projects to support a greener, more resilient district.
The report, covering July 2024 to July 2025, highlights a 38% reduction in the Council’s operational emissions compared with its 2019/20 baseline, falling from 11,619 tCO₂e to 7,162 tCO₂e. In the last reported year alone, emissions dropped by 20.65%, meaning they are now lower than during the COVID-19 lockdown – evidence of sustained, long-term action rather than temporary change.
Key factors behind this progress include more accurate site specific data for schools, reduced staff mileage through greater use of pool cars, energy efficiency upgrades at leisure centres, the installation of solar panels across Council sites and the switch to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil for food waste vehicles, significantly cutting fleet emissions.
The report also sets out an updated Pathway to Net Zero, mapping the impact of committed projects through to 2030. Major schemes include the Northcroft Leisure Centre Decarbonisation Project, a four‑year solar PV installation programme across Council buildings and schools, continued transition to low carbon fleet options, delivery of a solar farm on Council‑owned land and carbon sequestration on Council land.
Together, these initiatives reduce the projected gap to Net Zero to just 49 tCO₂e, with further projects under consideration to close the gap entirely.
Wider progress across the district is also reflected, including the adoption of the Local Plan Review 2023 to 2041 and the Local Transport Plan, both of which embed strong climate and ecological policies to support sustainable growth and low carbon travel.
The report also highlights wider action across West Berkshire, including new planning and transport policies that support sustainable growth, expanded electric vehicle charging in Newbury, Hungerford and Thatcham, and environmental projects such as nutrient mitigation in the River Lambourn catchment.
Councillor Stuart Gourley, Executive Member for Environment and Highways at West Berkshire Council, said:
“This report shows that West Berkshire is not only reducing its carbon footprint but building real momentum towards our Net Zero target. A 38% reduction, and a 20% reduction on last year alone, in emissions is a significant achievement and reflects the hard work of teams across the Council and our partners.
“What matters now is that we keep going. With major decarbonisation projects underway, expanded EV infrastructure, new solar installations and a refreshed Environment Strategy, we are well placed to accelerate progress and deliver practical, evidence based action that benefits our residents, our financial sustainability, and our environment for future generations.”
(Picture: West Berkshire Council)
