Council making progress for Net Zero 2030

Published: Friday, 1st July 2022

2 to 8 July is Net Zero Week and Sevenoaks District Council is highlighting its commitment to make its operations Net Zero by 2030 and its environmental ambitions for the District.

In recent days, two more electric vehicles have been added to the Council’s fleet with two more on order. The new electric vans will be used by the Council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers who regularly travel around the District.

Earlier in the year, the Council launched its Movement Strategy, the first in Kent, which sets out its intentions to encourage healthier, safer and more sustainable travel over the next five to ten years. To begin delivering these important changes and, despite not being the highway authority, the Council secured £1.2 million for a new east to west cycle and walking route in Sevenoaks town.

Following an independent report showing improvements in air quality across the District, the Council asked for residents’ views on its new action plan to further reduce air pollution and its impacts. This includes working with schools to reduce car idling and walking to school incentives.

Other carbon saving initiatives include solar powered compactor bins, planting new trees, installing electric charging points across our car parks, assisting residents with solar power and more.

Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, Cllr Peter Fleming. says: “We are off to a good start with our Net Zero commitment but we know there is still lots more we can do. Adding more electric vehicles to our fleet is a big step forward in decarbonising our operations and our Movement Strategy is part of our ambition to make travel in the District more sustainable.

“We know air quality is a big concern for residents but we have seen year-on-year improvements across the District and our new Air Quality Action Plan will continue to address this. We are also hoping to have more than 40 additional electric charging points installed in our car parks and deliver resident EV charging hubs.

“We’re also highlighting to residents and our staff that Net Zero is everyone’s responsibility and, if we all make small changes, it will add up.” 

More information about the Council’s Net Zero commitments can be found at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/netzero