The road to net-zero

Runaway climate change describes the process in which the amount of emissions being released and held in the atmosphere is at such a high quantity that climate change can no longer be reversed or its impacts reduced.

In 2018, the IPCC said that global emissions must be reduced by 45% by 2030, and to net zero by 2050 to have a 50% chance of limiting temperature rises to 1.5C this century.

In 2020, a UK Gov survey found that 64% of the population did not know what net zero was, with only 3% of the population claiming to know "a lot".

So, if you are not 100% sure of what net zero is or why it has been adopted as a framework for mitigating climate change you are not alone.

Net zero definition: ‘net zero’ refers to achieving a balance between the greenhouse emissions going into the atmosphere with those being removed from the atmosphere. The ‘zero’ refers to the journey towards zero emissions being created and the ‘net’ refers to the emissions being removed from the atmosphere to keep the balance.

To achieve the ‘net’ in net zero, emissions can be sequestered from the atmosphere using carbon sinks. Carbon sinks can be naturally occurring or 'man'-made. Naturally occurring carbon sinks are; trees, kelp forests and peat bogs. Whereas 'man'-made sinks are technological based and are referred to as "Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)".

It is important to note that net-zero cannot work if we only rely on the capture of emissions. The science urgently tells us that we cannot prevent runaway climate change without aiming for rapid emissions reduction with the main aim of reaching zero emissions, sometimes known as "real zero".

Reaching net-zero 2030 involves mitigating climate change through green energy production, increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions caused by the biggest emitters. According to UK Government 2020 figures, the biggest emitting sectors in Blackpool are:

• 48% domestic
• 23% industry and commercial
• 19% transport

As human induced climate change is caused by over consumption it is important that reducing consumption and rethinking the way we reuse resources are considered as part of the journey to net-zero. The Ellen McArthur foundation notes that this is essential to reduce the other 45% of emissions which cannot be removed through green energy production alone. This is why it is important the foundations to becoming a sustainable Blackpool are laid down and build upon with collective action.

A sustainable Blackpool means a healthy society and environment, where everyone plays a part to reduce the town's impact on climate change. This involves:

• Increasing green energy production and supply across the town
• Increasing energy efficiency and retrofitting homes
• Working with business and industry to increase sustainability practice
• Enabling and encouraging sustainable transport take-up
• Reducing waste and encouraging re-use of items
• Provisioning of green spaces and locally grown food
• Protecting the ocean and local wildlife

As part of becoming a Sustainable Blackpool, an Energy Performance Certificate study was undertaken by Blackpool Coastal Housing.

This study was undertaken in 2022, using Parity Projects software and calculated the estimated cost of getting their properties to a high energy performance standard. Energy performance certificates run from band G-A, with G being the least energy efficienct and A++ Being the highest energy rating.

The current percent of Blackpool Coastal Housing properties at a standard of A-C is 82%. The study found that to get the remaining properties to an A-C rating, it could cost £900,000 and could be achieved by 2030. This figure is based on 2022 rates and could increase with time based on materials and labour costs.

As part of our Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy we are looking to provide additional 210 charging point locations in Blackpool to account for growing needs of residents and visitors. We are specifically concerned about residents of Blackpool that do not have access to off-street charging.

If you live in Blackpool and have a suggestion for an electric vehicle charge points, please email us on climate@blackpool.gov.uk

Please note that not all requests will be accepted, however each request will be used to inform the delivery of the future infrastucture.

The council has established a climate action partnership for Blackpool with the purpose of reaching town wide net-zero by increasing collaborative action and knowledge sharing amongst partners.

Who it's for

• Councillors
• Residents
• Young citizens
• Climate experts
• Businesses
• Climate assembly representatives
• Other relevant parties

If you would be interested in joining the Climate Action Partnership meetings, contact us to learn more at: climate@blackpool.gov.uk