 Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council, responds to recent headlines regarding net zero.
Dear Portsmouth
In the face of uncertainty and disappointment, I want to assure you that as a council we have been working hard to transition to carbon net zero by 2030, and will continue to promote sustainable ways of living and working within the city.
Climate change is one of the most important and complex challenges our society has ever faced. We are in this together, and together we will continue to make strides towards our shared goal of a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.
By embracing renewable energy sources like solar panels, and retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient technology, means we reduce the cities dependence on expensive fossil fuels, and lower energy bills for households. In the long run, these measures not only save money but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for the community, making Portsmouth a more affordable and eco-conscious place to live.
 A £19.8m grant from the government will enable a revolutionary green project at Portsmouth International Port. The project, called ‘SEA CHANGE’, will design, build and operate a ‘shore power’ system across three berths. This will allow ferries or cruise ships to turn off their engines as they will be able to ‘plug-in’ and use green electricity.
This project realises the full potential of two new LNG-electric hybrid ships from Brittany Ferries, which will begin sailing in spring 2025. The University of Portsmouth will bring their academic expertise to the scheme.
It will improve air quality around the port, and it is estimated that the system will prevent 20,000 tonnes of CO2e per annum entering the atmosphere from 2027. This is the equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of around 2,500 UK households (source).
This ambitious project reaffirms the port’s commitment to play their part in a sustainable future for the city after signing The Portsmouth Green Partnership Charter in November 2022 and reduce their impact on the local community.
As the colder weather is creeping in, now is a good opportunity to make sure your home is as warm as possible to save you money on your bills.
Switched On Portsmouth is here to help!
Our team provides free expert energy advice and can refer you to government schemes. Eligible customers can receive measures such as upgraded boilers, loft and wall insulation, free white goods, free LED light bulbs, and more.
Some people believe this scheme is a scam as it seems too good to be true! Rest assured...it's completely legitimate! As part of our energy and water at home strategy we want to ensure all homes in Portsmouth use energy and water as efficiently and are comfortable and safe; and that every Portsmouth household can afford their energy and water bills.
There are a number of different schemes with different eligibility, so look closely to see which ones you qualify for. Criteria examples are:
- people on income related benefits or income under £31,000,
- homes that don't use gas as their main source of heating
- if you have a council tax banding is A-D
Contact the team today at 0800 260 5907 or visit the website.
 Meet Archie! Despite being raised an omnivore, this young chap made the decision to give up meat for his new year's resolution because he wants to help the planet.
When Archie was nine, his resolution was to become a pescatarian, and this year, he chose to become a full-on veggie! Archie has the support of his family and friends, and although he is in the minority, he inspired some of his friends to give up meat for lent.
Archie tries to do his bit in other ways as well, like litter picking in his local area. He would like people to be more responsible with their rubbish, and just "put it in the bin" and not litter.
Archie said "it's the little things that make a difference. All of us live on this planet together, collectively our small changes could make a big difference - you just need to keep it simple."
If you would like to share your story about any actions you have taken to help the planet, please get in touch.
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