7 December 2021
Swale Borough Councillors Report
In November the focus was very much on the climate and ecological emergency. While the UN climate conference (COP26) was taking place in Glasgow, there were many local events around our essential journey to reach net zero carbon emissions and restore nature.
Swale Borough Council organised an event for local businesses to launch the ‘Clean Growth Grant’ scheme. The grants aim to help local small and medium businesses and reduce the environmental impact of their business. For example, costs by be reduced by improving the energy efficiency of equipment or generating renewable energy. The packed event, at the magnificent new Light Cinema in Sittingbourne, heard inspirational talks from local pioneers. Elvis and Kresse, whose operation is based at a farm at Painter’s Forstal, described how they turn old fireman’s hoses into desirable bags, wallets and belts (www.elvisandkresse.com). Cook’s Classic Kitchen (www.cookfood.net ), based in Sittingbourne, spoke about their journey to net zero, including the installation of a 150Kw solar roof. The solar panels are owned by Orchard Community Energy and Cook buy the power. The ‘profits’ go to fund local community projects (see orchardcommunityenergy.org). The event was also attended by Nicholls Transport whose HGV fleet now includes 35 trucks powered by liquid natural gas (LNG). Three-quarters of the LNG comes from Blazes Farm where food waste collected by councils across Kent is processed in an anaerobic digester to produce fertiliser and biomethane – a nice example of the circular economy. If you are interested in applying for a Clean Growth Grant for your business visit www.swale.gov.uk/cgg.
In recognition of the Council’s work on the climate emergency, Swale Borough Council was invited to join UK100 – a network of highly ambitious local councils, which seeks to devise and implement plans for the transition to clean energy that are ambitious, cost effective and take the public and business with them. Tim Valentine represented Swale Borough Council at number of meetings organised by UK100 during COP26 in Glasgow. These meetings enabled local councils to share their experience and knowledge. Topics included the opportunities in retrofitting buildings, decarbonising transport, restoration of sea grass and salt marsh and the specific challenges of the climate crisis for rural areas.
The agreement that came out of COP26 conference was disappointing as world leaders did not respond with the urgency required by the UN’s warning of “code red for humanity”. However, the accord was historic in that it marked the first global agreement to foresee an end to burning coal, and to require withdrawal of subsidy for oil and gas. It also requires all countries to submit revised plans to the COP next year and the year after. Under the Paris agreement the next review was not planned until 2025. So, there are grounds to be optimistic that the worst catastrophe of global heating can be still avoided.
Alastair Gould (AlastairGould@swale.gov.uk)
Tim Valentine (TimValentine@swale.gov.uk)
Swale Borough Councillors for Boughton & Courtenay.