Inspired by CAT’s research, Zero Carbon Shropshire has created a plan for the county to reach zero carbon by 2030. Amanda Smith looks at how communities, enterprises, councils and NGOs are working together towards this ambitious goal.

Zero Carbon Shropshire is a not-forprofit organisation set up in August 2020 to bring together stakeholders across the county with the shared goal of net zero carbon by 2030.

To hit this target, a 10% per annum reduction from the county’s 2019 carbon footprint is needed. This is a big challenge – one that will require organisations and individuals to transform the way they live and work. But if it succeeds, the project will see Shropshire lead the way in sustainability and inspire other counties to follow.

How it started

Back in 2019, CAT’s Paul Allen gave a presentation on our Zero Carbon Britain project to people and organisations from in and around Shrewsbury. This talk inspired those in attendance to form Shropshire Climate Action Partnership (SCAP), an action group of around 100 people including representatives from local councils, businesses and charities. All gave their time as volunteers to work on SCAP’s first project, Zero Carbon Shropshire.

The following year, a steering committee was set up with the short-term goal to develop and publish a zero carbon plan by the end of 2020. The committee used CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain scenario as a starting point, and CAT and others provided additional support and training. Working groups were formed that focused on areas such as consumption and resources, transport, land and biodiversity, energy and buildings.

A transformative plan

Zero Carbon Shropshire published its zero carbon plan on 31 December 2020. The plan recognises that the technologies and solutions needed to achieve net zero carbon Shropshire by 2030 are all available and affordable, and it highlights the potential co-benefits of the transition to zero carbon for the people of Shropshire.

The group estimates that about 80% of the emissions reductions needed are within the power of Shropshire’s producers and consumers, with the rest dependent on national government action. Its annual targets include 20,000 homes insulated and switched from oil or gas heating to heat pumps, investment of £200m in renewables, 500 acres of solar farms, 2,000 electric vehicle charging points, and 8,000 acres of habitats restored.

Plans into action

Since the publication of the plan, the team behind Zero Carbon Shropshire have been hard at work making changes informed by the four principles of Global Climate Justice, Restoring Nature, Adaption and Resilience, and Sustainable Shropshire. It is now part of a co-ordinated and collaborative response, working with other groups and organisations across the county to accelerate action to achieve net zero in Shropshire and to engage local communities to help make that happen.

Actions taken or currently underway across the county include:

• Key events bringing together sustainability-focused groups from across the county to explore ways of working together to accelerate change.
• Scaling up community-owned energy schemes.
• Carbon Literacy programmes and other training and resources to support businesses and organisations.
• Shropshire Love Nature Festival, a month-long festival to involve, inform and enthuse Shropshire residents and visitors about biodiversity and to highlight the current nature crisis.
• Carbon Watchers, bringing people together to find out what their personal or household footprint is and to share ideas and tips to reduce it.
• Local Food Connect, which aims to increase demand for and access to locally sourced seasonal food, providing opportunities for farmers to sell directly to local consumers.

Renewable Energy Mapping, the creation of online maps showing the siting possibilities and major physical and geographic constraints for local renewables.

Through an innovation lab, CAT worked with the Zero Carbon Shropshire Enterprise Group and a sample of local businesses to understand the barriers local stakeholders face in addressing the climate emergency. Through this process, we have explored the co-benefits of taking action and explored ways for Zero Carbon Shropshire to engage businesses across the county in delivering on their climate action plan.

To find out more about Zero Carbon Shropshire’s plan and activities, and how you can take similar action in your local area, visit https://zerocarbonshropshire.org or contact CAT at zcb@cat.org.uk to discuss the bespoke training and support available to you.

About the author

Amanda is CAT’s Head of Learning – she has overseen the development of our Zero Carbon Britain training programmes, short courses and schools education work.

Related Topics

• Zero Carbon Britain
• Policy
• News Feed