Carbon Neutrality plans in Winchester could cost £70 million

Winchester City Council’s targeted plans for carbon neutrality by 2024, with the whole district following by 2030, could cost an estimated £70m.

Currently, the council pays £1m per year towards climate action, which includes looking to invest in large scale renewable projects including solar, wind farms and heat pumps.

However, Steve Lincoln, community planning manager, told the health and environment policy committee in a virtual meeting that plans such as building solar panels on council roofs could cost up to £70m.

A sustainability conference was also hosted last week, for Winchester Green Week, aiming to encourage action among residents, with an update on how the council aims to tackle the climate emergency.

Councillor Lynda Murphy, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, said: “We have ambitious plans to become a carbon neutral district by 2030 so that we can protect the natural world around us and create a bright and sustainable future for generations to come.”

She also added, “Now, more than ever, we must work together.”