Trees planted this season alone could absorb 300 tonnes of carbon annually

New figures estimate that the 30,000+ trees planted in Bedford Borough in this planting season alone could absorb around 300 tonnes of carbon each year. As well as absorbing hundreds of tonnes of carbon, the trees will enrich the local environment and have many health benefits.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said "We have set ourselves a realistic but ambitious target of becoming a net zero carbon council by 2030. Planting trees is one of the ways we can reach this by offsetting the emissions that will be more difficult to cut. The trees will look fantastic once matured and provide so many benefits to residents."

Mayor Dave has been taking action on climate for years which has resulted in the Council reducing its carbon emissions by over 62% since he was elected. Some of the innovative solutions include modernising Borough Hall by installing LED lighting, a biomass heating system and evaporative cooling system for the data centre.

Mayor Dave has also increased the amount of renewable energy generated in the Borough. The Archimedes screw was installed on the River Great Ouse, using the power of the river to generate about 168,000 kilowatt hours of energy each Most recently, the new 8,000 panel solar farm was opened on the old Elstow landfill site and is continuing to exceed expectations for clean energy production.