Council cuts carbon emissions by 76%

Reading Borough Council has cut its carbon emissions by 76% since 2008. This puts it among the top 5% of councils in the country for reducing emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions across Reading have also fallen. Government figures show a 57% reduction since 2005, the 15th largest fall among around 400 local authority areas.

The figures are included in the council’s annual greenhouse gas report, which will be presented to the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport committee on 12 November 2026.

Lower energy use saves money

The council has reduced the energy used in its buildings and services. Its emissions fell by a further 9.5% in 2025/2026 compared with the previous year.

The work has also saved an estimated £41.9 million in energy costs since 2008, compared with what the council would have spent without these changes. This includes £6.5 million saved in 2025/2026.

Projects helping to cut emissions

The council is continuing to make changes to its buildings and services to reduce the use of fossil fuels, such as gas.

Projects include:

• Civic Centre: Heat pumps provide heating and cooling, and solar panels generate electricity. Moving the Central Library into the building has also reduced carbon emissions.
• The Hexagon: The theatre no longer uses gas for heating. It now uses heat pumps that take heat from water. The new Studio Theatre will use the same system when it opens next spring.
• Town Hall: Planned roof improvements will include better insulation to help reduce energy use.
• Solar panels: More than 10,000 panels have been installed on council buildings, homes and schools. Work is due to start on a major new installation at the Reading Buses depot, with Reading Community Energy Society.
• Electric buses: The council has worked with Reading Buses to secure funding for 49 electric buses.
• Electric vehicle charging: Public charging points are being installed on residential streets so more households can charge electric vehicles locally.

The council has also applied for government funding to develop a heat network for Reading. This would provide heating using low-carbon energy from sources such as underground water and rivers.

The proposed network could run from Reading School in the east to the Minster Quarter in the west. It could also serve the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the University of Reading’s London Road campus.

More work needed to meet carbon targets

Reading declared a climate emergency in 2019 and set targets to reduce emissions. The council’s own emissions account for 1.2% of the borough’s total.

The council has reduced its own emissions faster than the borough as a whole. However, it has not met its target to cut its emissions by 85% by 2025/2026.

A second carbon plan is being prepared. It will set out how the council plans to make further reductions.

Councillor comments

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“The council has demonstrated a strong commitment towards cutting its carbon emissions over many years and has achieved a reduction of 76% since 2008/09.

Major projects such as the decarbonisation of our leisure centres, arts and leisure venues and the Civic Offices has helped us to avoid around £42m in energy costs, therefore saving Council Tax payers money.

The council is continuing to drive forward an innovative and bold programme with the installation of thousands of solar panels and plans for a major new heat network project.

Reading declared a climate emergency in 2019 and set ambitious targets for carbon reductions beyond those adopted nationally as well as settings its own corporate carbon plan aims.

Borough emissions and the council’s carbon emissions have been cut significantly which consistently puts us among the top performers in the country but, of course, not everything is within the council’s or borough’s control.

It is also worth noting that the council’s carbon emissions only account for 1.2% of the borough’s total emissions.

There is still much work to done to reach the council’s and borough’s ambitious carbon reduction targets and we will continue to work with our partners and residents to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, achieve net zero and improve the environment for everyone in Reading.”