West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) reinforces its commitment to sustainability by signing the Northampton Sustainability Accord.The Accord, unveiled following the University of Northampton Sustainability Summit held in May, brings together a range of stakeholders including local and national businesses, governmental organisations, and third-sector businesses in a collaborative effort to transition towards more sustainable practices.The Northampton Sustainability Accord recognises the significance of collective action in addressing shared sustainability challenges. It aims to establish a framework for collaboration among stakeholders to achieve mutually agreed sustainability goals.Councillor Jonathan Nunn, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said:“West Northamptonshire Council is committed to achieving Net Zero for...

19 July, 2023

Residents living in private homes (both owned and rented) with a gross household income of less than £31,000 are being encouraged to apply for a government grant to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes.ECO4 Flex is a government scheme, funded by energy companies, that supports households on lower incomes or those particularly vulnerable to the impacts of living in a cold home.Funding is available for things that can improve the energy efficiency of your home, including insulation and heating systems.Improving the energy performance of your property through different methods could save you hundreds of pounds in fuel bills...

12 July, 2023

Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani has announced more than £200 million in funding for cutting-edge UK aerospace projects at the 2023 Paris Air Show.Projects to help the UK lead the way on greener air travel and deliver on one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities to grow the economy, are to receive more than £200 million in funding, Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani has confirmed today [20 June].A total of £218 million combined government and industry funding has been announced to develop new green innovative landing gear, and lower carbon and more efficient aircraft wings, engines and sensors.The funding, being delivered through...

20 June, 2023

Legislation change allowing longer lorries and longer semi-trailers on roads will save 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the air.Longer lorries will be introduced to Great Britain’s (GB’s) roads to support the government’s priority to grow the economy, boost productivity, slash road emissions and support supply chains.Legislation will be laid today (10 May 2023) to safely roll out the vehicles on roads from 31 May. The longer lorries will be able to transport fast-moving consumer goods and retail products, as well as waste packaging, parcels and pallets.These new lorries will move the same volume of goods, but...

10 May, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council has received £73,000 to develop an electric vehicle strategy and research new innovations which will see new technology rolled out across the area.WNC has committed to becoming net zero in its carbon emissions by 2030 with plans to invest in sustainable and renewable energy sources.At the Cabinet meeting on Monday, 13 February, WNC presented its baseline emissions report for 2021-22; taking a step forward in meeting the sustainability goal to be net zero by 2030. This data will provide the catalyst for driving forward and implementing changes to reach this goal.A key example of how this will...

17 April, 2023

Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles in North Northamptonshire has been given a boost with £3.25million from Government.The provisional funding includes £2,895,000 capital funds for purchasing and installation costs and a further £351,780 for planning and delivery.Bringing more on-street charging points into operation is seen as one of the main ways of making the use of electric vehicles more appealing and the funding will focus on areas with no, or very limited, off-street parking.Funding has been made available under the UK Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund and is dependent on suitable plans to be agreed by the...

04 April, 2023

Energy Security Secretary outlines steps to strengthen Britain's long-term energy security and independence to help deliver clean, prosperous future for the country.Ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries in Britain have been unveiled by the government today (Thursday 30 March) - boosting the country’s energy security and independence and reducing household bills for the long term and maintaining a world-leading position in achieving net zero.Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine had a devastating effect on global energy markets, forcing up wholesale prices and with it the energy bills of households and businesses in the...

30 March, 2023

Britain’s rollout of clean, affordable, home-grown energy is moving full speed ahead, with the UK government offering £205 million in its latest renewables auction, boosting energy security, growing our economy and powering more of Britain from Britain.The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the government’s flagship mechanism for supporting new British low-carbon electricity generation projects, so far awarding contracts to projects totalling nearly 27GW of low carbon capacity. This has helped accelerate plans to diversify, decarbonise and domesticate our energy supplies, with the last round (AR4) securing almost 11GW of low carbon capacity - enough to generate sufficient electricity to...

16 March, 2023

New draft guidance published by the CMA will help businesses work together with confidence towards achieving environmental goals.In March 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) provided its environmental sustainability advice to the Government. As part of that work, the CMA found that businesses needed more clarity about what is, and what is not, legal when working together towards sustainability goals.Brexit has also offered an opportunity for the CMA to go further than it has before in providing reassurance to businesses and clarity on the CMA’s enforcement approach in relation to environmental sustainability agreements.The CMA’s proposed new guidance, published today...

28 February, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has been successful in its bid to secure funds as part of the Government’s £10.1 million project towards air quality improvement.Air quality has an impact on the health of our populations, and it is important that initiatives are put in place to help improve air quality for residents today and future generations.WNC has received £292,378 funding from Government to roll-out new initiatives to improve air-quality in Northampton. This complements a further grant awarded in 2021/22 for £148,297 which is focused on active traffic management to improve congestion and poor air quality in existing air quality management...

16 February, 2023

At the Cabinet meeting on Monday, 13 February, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) presented its baseline emissions report for 2021-22; taking a step forward in meeting its sustainability goal to be net zero by 2030.Sustainability is high on the agenda for WNC with work already underway to make West Northants a sustainable place to live. In response to the UN’s 2030 Sustainability agenda, the United Kingdom has adopted its own sustainability agenda. The Government called upon local authorities to support in delivering these targets.This report provides a robust set of baseline CO2e emissions data for the Council’s first year, April 2021...

14 February, 2023