Richmond borough has seen a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions in just five years, according to a new Council report.

The fall has been helped by Council initiatives to support a switch to electric vehicles, the planting of trees and the use of LED bulbs in streetlights.

Residents are also doing their bit by investing in greener, low energy, household appliances.

In 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency, publishing its Climate Emergency Strategy and accompanying annual Action Plan in January 2020.

The Climate Emergency Action Plan is updated each year and sets out what actions the Council will deliver along with how it will work to support local partners and residents.

Its latest report details:

An overall decrease in emissions from the Council as an organisation of 62.7% since 2017/18.

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee, said: "In spite of the pandemic, 2021 was a significant year for the Council in continuing to tackle the borough's carbon emissions.

"Areas of focus such as replacing older and more polluting Council vehicles with electric alternatives and enabling residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes have been accelerated in 2021.

"Reducing the borough's carbon emissions, remains a key priority for this Council, and while there is much work still to be done, Richmond upon Thames is now at the forefront as a climate action leader."

The council initiatives, include –

• Nearly three quarters of streetlights in the borough have been upgraded to LED, saving energy. Work to install lower kelvin lights in areas of wildlife value to minimise light pollution.

• Replacing council vehicles with low-emitting and electric ones. Working with contractors to ensure they do the same.

• 464 electric vehicle charging points installed. Secured £300,000 which will provide a further 130 lamp column charging points in 2022.

• Continued campaign to become an idle-free borough, asking drivers to turn off their engines when waiting at level-crossings or doing pick-ups and drop-offs.

• Planted 571 new trees, worked to support endangered native trees and are working with schools to rewild areas of their grounds in partnership with Habitats & Heritage.

• Rewilding highway verges to allow for increased biodiversity.

• Launched the cultural reforesting programme at Orleans House Gallery, aiming to renew residents' relationship with nature.

• Supported residents on lower incomes to make homes more energy efficient through the Green Homes Grant.

• Supported the highest sign-up of any London borough to the Solar Together scheme, giving residents access to cheaper solar panels through group buying scheme.

• Continued roll-out of a food recycling collection service to residents who live in flats. Expanded collection of textiles with our partners TRAID.

The Council hosted Richmond Climate Week in November last year in partnership with local conservation charity Habitats & Heritage to host 20 community events.

Cllr Neden-Watts said: "The week brought together over 1,000 people, including school children, with local organisations, community groups and climate experts to take part in finding shared solutions to the climate crisis."

You can catch-up on videos from the week here.