 Need to know
Climate Emergency Action Plan review
We have had some recent enquiries about when the annual review of the climate emergency action plan will be published.
Ordinarily, the annual review is presented to full council and published soon after, however due to the council being under new leadership, the review will now be presented and published later in the year.
Last chance to have your say
We want to make sure that the information we provide in our climate emergency newsletters are useful and inspirational to you to help you make changes to your carbon footprint.
Thank you to those who have already taken the time to complete our short survey. If you haven't yet had a chance, please click the button below to take part.
 Harvest solar energy to support allotments
We have recently launched an innovative project to provide an allotment with sustainable power, in order to further reduce our reliance on more harmful energy sources.
The site is located off Ifould Crescent on the Montague Park estate in Wokingham town.
Two solar panels have been installed on the site to harvest energy from the sun and transfer it to high-density batteries for energy storage. The batteries then supply power to four electrical points and two USB sockets inside and outside of a tool shed, providing power 24 hours a day.
The system uses no energy from outside sources, and supports the allotment in many ways, such as powering a communal rechargeable lawnmower and other power tools, allowing residents to power a communal kettle for social gatherings and recharge their mobile phones.
As well as solar energy, the allotments will soon have compostable toilets which discharge waste into the ground where it safely decomposes without using power, a water connection or chemicals.
 Bus operator highlights climate crisis
Reading Buses, which operates services across Wokingham borough alongside its sister company Thames Valley Buses, has redecorated one of its fleet to draw attention to the climate emergency.
The single-decker vehicle has been decorated with blue and red "warming stripes" depicting the increase in global temperatures as a result of carbon emissions.
It’s powered by low-carbon bio methane and covers several routes including the Leopard 3, which runs from Reading to Shinfield, Arborfield and Wokingham town.
This serves the University of Reading, which was a partner in this initiative as the stripes were created by its climate science expert Professor Ed Hawkins. He produced the design, printed on recyclable vinyl, to illustrate the problem visually.
We support this gesture as we declared a climate emergency in 2019 and we’ve pledged to play as full a role as we can in reducing Wokingham borough's carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.
Using public transport is one of the easiest ways that residents can help cut emissions, along with walking and cycling more, which is why we're working to save our services as they strive to overcome the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.
Give up your car for a day
22 September is World Car-Free Day.
On this day, motorists are encouraged to give up their cars for a day. Will you join us and not use yours for the day?
Vehicle emissions are one of the main sources of outdoor air pollution, and contribute significantly to global warming. World Car-Free Day is therefore celebrated every year to arouse public awareness of these concerns, and promote other more sustainable transport for everyday journeys.
Walk, cycle or taking public transport for the day, and play your part in helping the environment.
For an extra challenge, why not go the extra mile and see if you can go car-free all week? Download the Innovation Valley app and earn points and prizes for travelling sustainably, some extra prizes will be waiting for you on World Car-Free Day!
 Let’s set a new record for Cycle September
We’re urging residents and workplaces across Wokingham borough to help us make this year’s Love to Ride Cycle September challenge the most successful yet.
Our My Journey Wokingham active travel team is calling on at least 1,000 businesses, charities or community groups to saddle up and jointly rack up at least 150,000 miles throughout the month.
Anyone can sign up their company and start encouraging colleagues to take part, and the scheme is open to everybody over the age of 13 who lives, works or studies in the borough.
A new bike of the winner’s choice, worth up to £1,000, is up for grabs in a prize draw for anyone who registers before 1 September. Other prizes include £4,000 towards a dream holiday.
The challenge is fun, friendly and welcoming to all riders, regardless of experience or ability, and offers a little gentle rivalry as people compete to top the local leaderboard. We’re proud to back it as part of our commitment to promoting active and sustainable alternatives to driving.
 Initial parcel locker roll out complete
An initial roll out of InPost and Amazon parcel lockers in Wokingham Borough Council car parks across the borough is now complete, aiming to reduce the amount of carbon emissions from “last mile” deliveries.
Studies show that buyers visiting lockers to pick up their packages generates far less carbon dioxide than last mile deliveries, which are the final journey from a distribution centre to the customer’s doorstep.
Studies carried out by Last Mile Experts show that an InPost parcel locker can generate 66 per cent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than delivering a parcel directly in urban areas, and 90 per cent less in rural areas.
Each reduces CO2 by 14 tonnes annually, equivalent to 2,000 trees converting CO2 into oxygen or driving 35,000 fewer miles in an average petrol car.
Locations include our car parks in Rose Street in Wokingham and Station Road in Earley, as well as supermarkets and other businesses in towns and villages across the borough. There are plans for six more installations during August.
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