Kent County Council and partners press ahead with Net Zero initiatives

Date
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Environment
Ariel view image of a factory showing lorries lined up parked and cars.

Tens of thousands of new trees, fresh walking and cycling schemes and helping businesses loan an electric van are just some of the ways Kent County Council (KCC) is supporting people to go Net Zero.

A new graphic shows in numbers what KCC and partners are doing to press ahead and cut reliance on fossil fuels.

KCC works with partners across the county, including district and borough councils, towards the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy.

In numbers, the first year of the strategy has delivered:

  • £28 million of Government funding to retrofit council public sector buildings
  • Over 2000 solar panels installed on homes
  • Nine new cycle schemes were created, along with 14 additional schemes designed for walking
  • More than 37,500 trees and hedges were planted in 2021 across Kent and Medway
  • KCC loaned electric vans to 150 businesses to help them see the value in investing in one of their own through the Kent Revs scheme

The council is also supporting the growth of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and installed 27 public charge points last year, with more planned as part of a project to install more than 600 public chargers in six Kent districts. This will increase the number of off-street charging hubs in car parks, making them easy for people to find.

Headshot of the deputy cabinet member Tony Hills

“We have made some good progress, but the challenge now is to keep up the pace on delivering climate action.”

Tony Hills KCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment

KCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment, Tony Hills, said:

"We have made some good progress, but the challenge now is to keep up the pace on delivering climate action. KCC cannot do this alone and we need other organisations and the people of Kent to join us on this journey, so that together we can achieve the goal of Kent & Medway becoming net zero carbon by 2050."

You and your family can stay active this summer without feeling the pinch. Step outside and make the most of the great outdoors by discovering the new and improved cycle and walking routes in Kent and Medway. Read more about the Active Travel Improvements on the Explore Kent website.

For environmental updates and tips follow Kent Green Action on Facebook ​or Twitter.

ENDS.

Note for editors

  • KCC recognised the UK climate emergency in May 2019.
  • The county council is committed to reaching Net Zero for its operations by 2030, with an ambition for the wider county to follow by 2050.