PLANS to reduce paper use, enhance biodiversity and introduce carbon literacy training are among Dudley Council plans to try to achieve net zero by 2030.

The council’s cabinet is expected to approve the council’s first Climate Action Plan when it meets on Wednesday March 20 – setting out a series of actions the authority intends to take to achieve the net zero target.

The plan explores how the council will reduce its carbon footprint and how it is encouraging businesses, organisations and residents to continue playing their part in the fight against climate change.

It comes after the council declared a climate emergency in 2020. To find out more visit www.dudley.gov.uk/climate

Strides made so far to cut carbon emissions in the borough include delivery of a programme to convert 30,000 streetlights to LED and the installation of 50 electric vehicle charging points across the borough.

In 2023, the council procured three electric quad bikes for street and green care, transferred its energy supply to a green energy tariff, and converted some of the lighting in corporate buildings to LED.

The next phase of major initiatives planned includes the roll out of carbon literacy training, seeking opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of pension fund investments, reducing paper use and delivering biodiversity enhancements on council owned land.

The council is the first in the region to secure funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority for a Net Zero Neighbourhoods pilot which will see 300 homes sustainably retrofitted with loft, cavity and solid wall insulation, solar PV, EV street charging points, community food growing initiatives and nature-based solutions such as green roofs.

Councillor Dr Rob Clinton, cabinet member for climate change, said: “We know how vital it is that we all act now and that is why we will also be working with external stakeholders, including public sector, businesses and community groups, to establish a Dudley Climate Partnership.”