Residents set to get say on city net-zero plan

The action plan includes encouraging greater use of green energy

Wolverhampton residents are set to get a say on a new plan to move the city towards a net zero future.

The Wolverhampton 2041 Net Zero Action Plan would encourage greater use of clean energy, home improvements and public transport.

Although drawn up by the city council, the authority said it would be a "facilitator" for businesses and individuals to act alongside public bodies.

A consultation is expected to launch on the plans at the end of September.

The draft plan includes 20 steps, covering everything from encouraging greener businesses to improving walking and cycling facilities and developing the skills needed in a more sustainable economy.

It aspires to cut the city's carbon footprint by a quarter in the next two years, and by 96% before 2041.

The scheme will be discussed by the authority's Climate Change, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Panel on Thursday.

Interested parties would have until the end of the year to express their views.

Costs unknown

The total cost of the proposals has not been identified - councillors will be told "high-level costings have been identified for some actions, but not all inputs and outputs were quantifiable".

Officers say detailed business cases will be required to better understand the impacts on council budgets.

They stress the authority would play an enabling role in many areas, creating the environment for companies and individuals to take action themselves.

Examples include providing sites where commercial electric vehicle charging points can be installed, and savings from bulk purchasing of insulation or solar panels.

If approved at Thursday's meeting, the public consultation will seek to find out how keen people and businesses are to carry out actions like improving their homes or changing travel habits.

It will also ask what support would be needed to achieve such changes.