CLIMATE change plans in place across Solihull have been given top marks by Climate Emergency UK.
Solihull Council was ranked fifth and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) was ranked second out of all 409 local authorities in the UK.
Solihull Council also came second out of all single-tier authorities.
Climate Emergency UK, an independent organisation which seeks to support councils with climate change plans, assessed the UK’s local council climate action plans published online before 20 September 2021 (and written after 2015).
The team then asked each council 28 questions which included whether local residents are being engaged with, if the actions have clear goals, and whether the plans go beyond cutting down the Council’s own emissions.
Solihull scored 85 per cent and the WMCA scored 89 per cent – the UK average was 46 per cent. #
Solihull scored maximum marks on communications and engagement; commitment and integration as well as providing the education, skills and training to enable measurable climate action.
Councillor Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council and WMCA portfolio holder for environment and energy, said: “It’s great to see the WMCA gaining national recognition for this work but it’s important to stress that the whole region deserves credit.
“We’ve come together to produce the plans and it’s only through this type of collaboration on a region-wide basis that we will be able to achieve our ambition of making the West Midlands greener and more sustainable.
“Here in Solihull we recognise the immediacy of the climate emergency and the consequences it brings.
“Since formally recognising the scale of the emergency in October 2019, we’ve been working hard to produce a meaningful action plan which outlines our journey to becoming a ‘net zero’ borough.
“Whilst acutely aware of the challenges Solihull faces, for example the serious flooding that affected residents in Dorridge last year, we’re determined to maximise new opportunities and make sure Solihull plays a leading part in the Green Industrial Revolution taking place across the West Midlands.
“Uncertainty for the future will inevitably remain, but the exceptional climate plans we’ve developed ensure Solihull is well placed to rise to the challenge.”
