Glastonbury Town Council (GTC) has achieved significant progress in their sustainability mission, reducing their carbon footprint by 39% in just two years, and simultaneously cutting annual running costs by over £4,000.

As part of its commitment to the Climate & Ecological Emergency, GTC pledged to make its operations carbon neutral by 2030. In working towards this target, three significant actions have been implemented which have contributed to the major reduction in the council's carbon emissions by 2023.

Firstly, GTC switched its electricity supplier to Ecotricity, a provider that sources 100% renewable energy. This decision effectively cut the council's electricity-related carbon emissions completely. The council also transitioned from a diesel van to a second-hand electric vehicle, leading to a 49% reduction in vehicle emissions. Lastly, the outdated gas boiler used to heat the town hall was replaced with a new efficient model, reducing emissions from gas by 36%.

These forward-thinking changes, though requiring some initial investment, are expected to save the council at least £4,000 in running costs each year. The additional costs of investing in these low carbon options will be recouped within three years, leading to net savings thereafter.

But how do these changes impact the residents of Glastonbury? It's clear that carbon-cutting measures can bring about other community benefits. Firstly, a more efficient council operation can free up funds, reducing waste and supporting cleaner air initiatives. The switch to an electric van has notably cut down on diesel fumes in the town. Furthermore, the Electric Vehicle (EV) charger installed in the Town Hall car park supports the use of EVs, promoting cleaner air and generating additional income for the council.

The council's initiatives aren't limited to carbon reduction. Other projects such as restoring and protecting nature, reducing resource use, and supporting community groups are underway to make Glastonbury a safer, healthier, and happier place for everyone. Notably, GTC has been involved in community-based activities like litter picking, the repair café, community fridge, bus campaign group, walking and cycling campaigns, and support for local food growers.

While this 39% reduction in carbon emissions is a noteworthy achievement, GTC acknowledges that there's much work ahead to achieve the 2030 carbon-neutral goal.

Planned future initiatives include improvements to the Town Hall's energy efficiency, installation of solar panels and additional EV chargers, further support for local wildlife and nature, community events, and building community resilience for impending climate changes.

For more information or to get involved, residents are encouraged to contact Melissa Taylor, GTC's Climate Emergency & Resilience Officer at [email protected], or visit the dedicated Climate Emergency & Resilience page on the GTC website.