New scorecards assessing local authorities on their climate change strategy has scored Central Bedfordshire Council as the highest single-tier local authority in the region. 

Data compiled by Climate Emergency UK, a not-for-profit organisation, assessed the climate plans for all local authorities across the country.

The council’s Sustainability Plan scored 63% and was ranked 38 out of 181 single tier local authorities. Across all areas of scoring, the council was marked as above average and received top marks for ‘commitment and integration’.

Councillor Steven Dixon, Executive Member for Sustainability said: “We are delighted to have received praise for our commitment and integrations of ideas and actions as outlined in the Sustainability Plan, however, we know there is a lot more work to be done in this area.

"To have scored one and two per cent lower than Cambridge City Council and Brighton and Hove City Council, who are leaders in sustainability, is a great achievement. I would like to thank the Sustainability Team for the efforts they have made in this area. We know the job is not done and this is the beginning of our journey to becoming a greener council.

We are constantly looking to improve and evolve practices to become more sustainable, reducing our carbon footprint across all the services we deliver to residents and businesses.”

More information on the methodology behind the scorecards and a breakdown of the council’s scores can be found online at: https://councilclimatescorecards.uk/