What the Council is doing

This page details what Fareham Borough Council is currently doing to reduce its carbon footprint and how it plans to further reduce its emissions in the long run.

Our operations:

The Council has had the natural environment as a focus for many years. The corporate vision is reviewed annually and the priority 'Protect and Enhance the Environment' has been highlighted since 2011. This is set out in Fareham's Corporate Strategy.

Waste management:

Refuse & Recycling team enable a 34% recycling rate for the borough
All residential non-recyclable waste is incinerated with energy recovery, providing electricity for thousands of local homes
The Council launched 'Give Plastic the Push' campaign in 2018 to further reduce unnecessary waste

Sustainable development:

The Innovation Centre at both Daedalus and the Council's Depot have solar panels on the roof
In 2019 the Council implemented a 'Greener Policy' to make its social housing more environmentally friendly, energy efficient and to drive down costs for Council tenants
The Council have recently gone through and replaced insulation in its existing properties

Making homes more energy efficient:

Thanks to a Government funding scheme to improve the energy performance of UK homes, Fareham residents can benefit from a share of £8.6 million allocated for the whole of the Solent region, up to £10,000 per property.
Home improvements could include measures such as solar panels, new insulation, double glazing or even a new front door; all with the goal to deliver sustainable warmth, reduce household energy bills and support the phasing out of fossil fuel heating as part of the UK's commitment to net zero by 2050.
Find out if you are eligible and submit an application.

Protecting wildlife:

The Council has a dedicated team that manages its natural green space
The Council recently adopted more land at Coldeast, Abbey Meadows in Titchfield, and Daedalus Common
The Council also manages several perennial meadows across its borough

Looking ahead to the future:

On the 26^th September 2019 the Council pledged a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The Council has come up with a strategy which consists of three key principles to ensure that it meets its target. The three principles are detailed below:

Eliminate - this is the stopping of unnecessary carbon emissions. For example, the Council are installing solar powered pay and display machines at coastal car parks
Reduce – this is the implementation of energy saving measures. For example, the Council has already started to invest in electric vehicles for its fleet
Offset – this is when the Council will offset where it can't eliminate or reduce emissions. For example, the Council is investigating the opportunities for tree planting projects on Council-owned land

The project examples above cover a range of time periods. The Climate Change Action Plan PDF (241 KB) details all the projects covering the short, medium, and long – term.

Working with the community:

As well as reducing the Council's carbon footprint the Council is undertaking projects that will achieve borough wide carbon reductions.

The full list of projects are detailed in the Climate Change Action Plan but a few are stated below:

The Council will provide advice and facilities on reducing waste and encouraging recycling
The Council are delivering a community solar panel project with Hampshire County Council
Working with the Greening Campaign to educate and lead the community to tackle and adapt to a changing climate