Thanks to its love of solar panels and electric transport, Nottingham has become the UK’s most energy-self-sufficient city. That’s a title we are dead proud of, and we are always trying to improve and expand on what we’re doing – so much so that Nottingham City Council has recently launched a campaign to make the city carbon neutral by 2028. So, how has Notts painted itself this lovely shade of green?
Trams
By now, you’ve probably noticed the big green machines zipping around town. Our electric-powered tram network spans 18km throughout Notts, and is a great way of getting around the city without emitting any harmful gases. There are stops right outside both universities, meaning you can easily hop on – with your validated ticket – and get yourself to the city centre or the train station.
Eco Cars and Buses
Nottingham was the first city in the country to build a brand-new green lane just for buses, taxis and bikes on an existing road, and we’re also home to a fleet of double deckers which are powered using renewable biogas. These buses are expected to emit 3,500 tonnes less CO₂ into the air, and will help Notts have the lowest spread of emissions in the country. To become a Go Ultra Low City, the city has also introduced charging points along its streets for electric vehicles and buses.
Parks
Would you believe that 20% of Nottingham is parkland, and around 70 of those parks are Green Flag award winners? As well as being the perfect place for you to take a walk or a stress-relieving jog after a particularly difficult day, there are lots of free events held in the parks throughout the year. Both our universities have also received Green Flag awards for their efforts in keeping their campuses environmentally friendly. By maintaining a healthy habitat for any wildlife that has settled on campus and producing as little waste as possible, the unis have cemented their green status.
Awareness
While the city has already made leaps towards a more sustainable future, we’re far from done. At the heart of the Nottingham 2028 plan is a desire to not only play a part in reducing the threat of climate change, but also that residents can be protected from the impact and made more resilient. Changes that will be implemented – such as trees, wild plants and green spaces added to the city centre, the use of deep mine water to heat homes and the installation of water fountains to reduce single-use plastics – will also help reduce bills and, hopefully, improve the mental wellbeing of our citizens.
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