Newport leading the way on several climate targets

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Senior councillors say Newport is leading the way on several climate targets.

A 9.7% reduction in the city council’s overall emissions last year (excluding procurement) ranks Newport as the number one local authority in Wales, cabinet members heard this week.

Cllr Yvonne Forsey, the cabinet member for climate change, said the council was also at the top of league tables for electrifying its vehicles, with 55% of its non-plant fleet now electric.

Another 110 public electric vehicle chargers were installed last year, making Newport the council area with the best on-street coverage in Wales.

Cllr Forsey also welcomed the city’s current recycling rate of 71.45%, the highest ever recorded in Newport, which she said had made “a solid contribution to Wales having the second-highest recycling rate in the world”.

The figures were published as part of an annual report on Newport City Council’s climate change plan for the years 2022 to 2027.

Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, who leads the local authority, said the findings reflected “a city that delivers for its residents”.

In the report, the council thanked Newport’s residents and businesses “for doing their bit” towards achieving the high recycling rate, “as this milestone would not have been possible without your support”.