Lib Dems keep momentum on Climate Change initiatives

Whilst the Government's strategy for Net Zero has been found unlawful, and not fit for purpose, the LibDem administration at Mole Valley has been keeping up its momentum locally to mitigate Climate Change.

Claire Malcomson, the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, summarises the key achievements:

"Having declared a Climate Emergency when we took over the Administration in 2019, we instigated an Environment Forum consisting of local groups working to save the planet and a Cross Party Working Group to contribute to our Climate Strategy.

"We commissioned the Carbon Trust to audit the Council's own carbon footprint. Based on their advice we are moving ahead on several fronts:

• With a £468,000 grant we won, we have installed air source pumps and LED lights in Dorking Halls and the Pippbrook Council building to improve efficiency;
• In order to generate as much of our own clean, green electricity as possible, we know we can install more solar panels on our public buildings and we hope to create solar carports over some of our car parks.
• Electric charging points are coming soon.

"The Greater South East Energy Hub is supporting Mole Valley, creating more decarbonisation plans for our leisure centres and Meadowbank. We are also working with the Energy Saving Trust to assess the best way to move our vans and community buses to an electric alternative. We have recently launched an On Demand Bus Service in the North of Mole Valley using electric buses; this is proving very popular.

"Mole Valley District Council is responsible for over 50,000 trees on our own estate. We are bringing a formal tree inspection policy to Cabinet in September for consideration.

"It's the Community Lottery's first birthday. Its Environment Fund and a £4000 grant have paid for trees and hedgerows across the district. More will be planted this autumn.

"At its July meeting, the Full Council voted to accept my motion requesting that The Surrey Pension Fund, and its investments, reach net zero by 2035. Mole Valley is the first council to do this in Surrey.

"I also announced that the Council supports the 17 Sustainable Development Goals the United Nations set in 2015.

"As work on our car park refurbishments continues, electrical ducts ready for electric vehicle charging points will be installed, because we want to encourage local residents to invest in electric cars. Soon, if you don't have your own charging facility or driveway, you will be able to top up in our car parks.

"These are just a few of our initiatives. I hope this helps you see how varied our work is and how committed the Liberal Democrats are to ensure Mole Valley DC reaches net zero by 2030. "