Agenda and minutes
4pm to 4.20pm: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council updates on its progress to tackle climate change
- Its target to be a carbon-neutral council by the end of this year is in reach.
- The council reports on emissions by financial year, usually in the autumn. That’s because it can take time to gather and analyse the data it needs to.
- The most recent financial year ended on 31 March 2025. The figures available now indicate that, at the end of that financial year, its carbon footprint was almost two thirds smaller than when it declared a climate emergency in 2019.
- Actions it has taken to cut its carbon include powering its offices with 100% renewable electricity and improving the energy efficiency of its buildings.
- Council teams, together with local nature groups and volunteers, manage over 300 hectares of green space. That captures hundreds of tonnes of carbon every year while supporting nature recovery.
- And it has also added electric vehicles to its fleet and swapped operational vehicles including mowers, sweepers and bin lorries from diesel to a low-carbon biofuel with up to 98% lower emissions.
- The target date for the council to be carbon neutral is 31 December 2025.
- Once this year is over, it will take some time for the emissions data needed to be gathered and become available.
- The council expects to be able to say if it has met its target to be a carbon-neutral council in December 2025 in the first half of next year.
4.20pm to 5pm: Round table with attendees
- Discussion focused on charity Climate Emergency UK’s council climate score cards and the council’s more recent environmentally positive action, including introducing food waste collections and progressing work to update its local plan.
- The Greening Campaign is progressing in Whitchurch. Sustainable Silchester is also continuing with its thermal imaging work under the campaign.
- The North Hampshire Repair Cafe and Chineham Repair Cafe continue to go from strength to strength.
- It was mentioned that Earth Watch Europe provides water testing kits.
- Tadley Town Council is looking at an electric maintenance vehicle.
The next meeting’s topic is ECO church. It is scheduled for Thursday 22 January 2026 from 4pm to 5pm.