Hounslow Council has made significant progress in its mission to reduce its carbon footprint, with a notable 10% reduction since 2018, and an 8% decrease in the last year alone.   

This achievement aligns with the council's ambitious climate action plan, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, with an interim target of a 50% reduction by 2026.   

Several key initiatives have been implemented to drive these reductions. The council has focused on enhancing renewable electricity generation and undertaking extensive retrofit projects to decarbonise council buildings and schools.   

Notably, solar PV installations at 48 sites have generated nearly 4000kW of renewable energy. Furthermore, retrofitting 32 schools and 29 corporate buildings is expected to save a combined 17.5 million kilowatts of electricity annually.   

An additional £2.1 million has been secured to retrofit six more council buildings and schools.   

Hounslow Council has also taken steps to green its vehicle fleet through the Fleet Replacement program, with over 200 vehicles, including electric and hybrid options, to be procured and leased in its initial phase.  

In addition, approximately £8 million has been invested in improving the energy efficiency of council housing.   

Councillor Katherine Dunne, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council, expressed pride in the council's leadership in climate action. She highlighted various measures, including decarbonization efforts, retrofit projects, and sustainable recycling services, all contributing to reducing carbon emissions.  

She said: "Decarbonising our buildings, numerous retrofit projects, changing our fleet of vehicles, and offering more sustainable recycling services are just some of the primary ways the Council and partners like Lampton Services are reducing carbon emissions from council operations."   

While the 10% reduction is a positive step, the council remains committed to achieving its 50% reduction target by 2026.   

Hounslow Council planted over 9000 trees last year surpassing their target (image via Arnaud Mesureur/Unsplash).

However, Councillor Dunne emphasised the need for national-level action and funding to tackle the climate crisis effectively. She called for more substantial support from the government to accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions. 

She said: "We have called on Government before to take more incisive action, and each day the call becomes more urgent. Necessary funding must be provided to enable towns and cities to implement the measures to accelerate to net zero."  

Martin Cresswell, Executive Chair at Lampton Group, commended Hounslow Council's decarbonisation journey and highlighted various initiatives, including transitioning to cleaner fuels, planting trees, and adopting eco-friendly cleaning solutions. 

Cresswell said: "Meanwhile, our Greenspace team planted over 9,000 trees within the borough last winter, surpassing the borough's target and supporting the Council's decarbonisation strategy through increased carbon capture." 

He added: "For example, the New Road Triangle site in Feltham has been designed with air source heat pumps and solar panels, reducing carbon emissions by 70%."    

Hounslow Council's commitment to carbon reduction extends to its residents and businesses, with initiatives encouraging sustainable living and energy efficiency.   

These include campaigns like "No Time to Waste" and "Heston in the Loop." The council's Community Energy Fund, offering £150,000 to support community-based projects, further promotes carbon reduction.  

The council has also signed the London Food Purchasing Commitment, pledging to reduce per plate carbon emissions and food waste.