Be Kind to the Environment

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is asking all its residents to ‘Think Climate RCT’ and be kind to nature.

As the Climate Change clock continues to tick down, we all need to make changes in our lives to help ensure that there is world for future generation to enjoy.

As a Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf has committed to being be Carbon Neutral by 2030 and has also pledged to help all its residents take action too – together we can make a BIG difference.

The Council has produced a NET carbon footprint for 2019/20 and has now produced a pandemic year footprint of 2020/21 that has seen a reduction of 29%.

The Council is committed to building on its successful carbon footprint reduction and will use the data in the development of its current plans to reach its Climate Goals by 2030.

Our Climate Goals are that by 2030;

• Rhondda Cynon Taf will be a Carbon Neutral Council
• The whole County Borough is as close as possible to Carbon Neutral.

Over the last decade the Council has made good progress in its carbon reduction efforts, these include;

• Over 100 solar panel installations,
• Installing energy efficient Micro combined heat and power systems that generates heat and electricity simultaneously from the same energy source, 
• Installing high-efficiency boilers,
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades, including swimming pools
• Switching to low-energy LED lighting in buildings and streetlighting

The key differences identified between 19/20 and 20/21 have highlighted the steps that the Council now needs to consider for reducing emissions in its path to NetZero.

• A review of the carbon footprint of purchased goods and services
• A reduction of Gas & Electricity used in RCT buildings through flexible/remote working.
• Assessment of fleet emissions and business travel. Improvements from a reduced need for traveling by using electronic systems and low carbon transport solutions.
• Improve carbon capture through our land-based assets. Peatlands, trees and improved land management.

As the Council maps out its next steps, it is encouraging its residents to think about the way that they can make a difference – the 10 simple ways listed below can help make a real difference;

Start saving water

Make you shower, super speedy! Shorten your showers by a few minutes and each minute you save, could save gallons of water.  You could even get yourself a waterproof shower clock which is a great environmentally conscious investment that helps you not only save the planet but money too.

Flip the switch

Don’t live your life in stand by! Turn off electronic appliances when not in use, especially personal computers and games consoles, which use a lot of energy. With so many things to do, it's so easy to forget to turn things off but it can make a big difference.

Remember to Recycle

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! With FREE and easy kerbside recycling in RCT there is no excuse not to recycle, but if we call recycle just one more item, that’ll help recycle over 240,000 extra items every week in RCT!

It’s best to avoid waste in the first place where possible, so think more carefully about your purchases. Re-using items saves the natural resources and energy needed to manufacture new ones - as well as saving money.

Walking

Embrace the outdoors and ditch the car! Research suggests that spending time in nature watching wildlife, taking a walk or even doing some gardening can have positive benefits for mental health and wellbeing; so you can do good for nature and reap the rewards for yourself.

Carbon Footprint

Reduce your carbon footprint! One of the most serious threats to wildlife is pollution: carbon dioxide emissions cause oceans to become more acidic which endangers already struggling marine life and polluted air poses a serious risk to our own physical health.

By turning down the dial of your thermostat just a tad and using your car only when absolutely necessary, you can help reduce the impact of greenhouse gases and do your part to decelerate the pace of global warming.

Plan a wildlife garden

Gardening with bees, butterflies and moths in mind is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your own garden and it can be easy too. By simply growing a few choice plants and providing them with a garden refuge, you can make a huge difference.

Volunteer

Did you know that in RCT, you are never far away from a Keep Wales Tidy litter picking hub?

For more information and to make a difference in your community visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/litterPickRCT

This only takes up a small amount of your time and will get you out exploring your local community. Through this small act you can make a big difference and it’s a great example of a selfless environmentally friendly act.

Removing litter from your local parks and streets can help keep plastics out of the ocean and protect the lives of marine animals.

Be thoughtful to wildlife

Be respectful of all the wild insects, animals and plants you see by observing at a distance and leaving no trace of your visit.

Did you know that RCT is home to some rare, home-grown insects, including the Maerdy Monster and Beddau Bug?

Not only can you put yourself in danger by approaching wildlife or venturing off reserve paths, but you could also harm the animal itself.  Making loud, unfamiliar noises can stress wildlife and even cause them to flee from their home. Enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors, have fun but remember to be kind to the environment.

Support

If you want to help the environment but are not sure how then why not chose to support a charity close to your heart. This can be donating items that you no longer need, volunteering or monetary donations.

Whatever your plans, the support you give will make a real difference to the long-term future of the environment.

Get Heard

It is time to THINK Climate RCT and you can help by spreading the word about the issues that climate change poses and the opportunities that arise when action is taken! Let’s talk Climate Change and help the environment get the attention it needs – by working together to make a BIG difference not just locally but globally!

Councillor Rhys Lewis, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being and Cultural Services and Climate Change Champion, said:

“It is great to see us moving forward and continuing to make a difference as a County Borough - we can all make a collective difference by stopping and thinking about the things we can all do to stop Climate Change; from turning off the tap, when brushing your teeth, recycling as much as we can, to walking more, we can and must all play our part. We are lucky to have some amazing open spaces in RCT and we must nurture and look after them.

“As a Council we are continuing in the establishment of a Corporate Decarbonisation Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf activities, which will include reduction plans and timescales to guide the process successfully towards Rhondda Cynon Taf being a Carbon Neutral Council by 2030.

“Through the work of Council officers and the decisions made in the Climate Change Steering Group, we hope that we can make a real difference not just locally, but globally. Every simple change that we all make will make a big difference.”

For more information on Climate Change in RCT, how the Council is tacking it and what residents can do to play their part visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/ClimateChangeRCT