Carbon emissions fell more quickly from 2018 to 2023 in Basingstoke and Deane than anywhere else in mainland Hampshire, new government figures reveal.

The borough’s net emissions shrunk by a quarter in the five years from 2018, which was agreed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council as the starting point for measuring the area’s carbon when it declared a climate emergency six years ago.

The emissions data for 2023 for all local authority areas across the country was published last Thursday (3 July) by the government. It usually publishes this data each summer, around 18 months in arrears.

The latest figures reveal the borough's carbon footprint for 2023 is around 885.5 kilo tonnes of carbon, a decrease of 5.7% from 2022 and 25.1% from 2018.

“Thank you to each and every person, group, organisation and business locally who is doing their bit to live and work in more sustainable and environmentally friendly ways”, said the council’s Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency Cllr Chris Tomblin.

“These figures show our efforts together are bearing fruit, helping to tackle the climate emergency while also protecting and encouraging nature and improving the quality of the air that we all breathe.

“We should celebrate the good progress we’ve all made but also be aware that we have much further to go. To help guide all of us in this, and build on what’s been achieved so far, the council is currently updating its Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy it adopted in 2021.

“A consultation is running until the end of the month on proposals for updating the borough’s net zero action plan. I urge you to get involved and make your views known to help shape the final version of the strategy that is adopted by the council at the end of this year.”

The council’s efforts with communities and partners to tackle the climate emergency have been guided by the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy it adopted in 2021. This strategy will be replaced later this year with an updated version that builds on progress so far.

Until Friday 1 August, people and organisations can have their say on the council’s draft updated Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/draft-climate-change-air-quality-strategy

Local authority area emissions figures for 2023 can be found on the government’s website at www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-local-authority-and-regional-greenhouse-gas-emissions-statistics-2005-to-2023