Kent residents are being urged to play their part in protecting and enhancing the local environment for future generations in a new campaign being launched by Kent County Council.

The campaign, Kent Green Action, aims to inspire everyone to take action to protect and improve their local environment.

People can do this by saving the amount of energy they use at home, at work, and when they travel to help reduce carbon emissions.

Climate change, which causes more severe weather, plastic pollution, water scarcity and threats to pollinators are just some of the environmental issues already being faced in Kent.

The county faces unprecedented growth over the coming decades, almost 180,000 new homes will be built by 2031.

The impact of climate change and environmental pressures is likely to be felt more acutely in Kent than many other places in the UK.

Valuing and protecting the local environment not only protects the natural world but also leads to great benefits for our health, wellbeing, and local economy, now and in the future.

Kent County Council has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their own buildings and activities to net zero by 2030.

Since 2010 (to December 2020) they have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 57 per cent.

They also funded 140 energy saving projects to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and converted almost 120,000 streetlights and the lighting of their signs, bollards and underpasses to energy-efficient, light emitting diodes (LEDs).

In 2020 the council installed an additional 1,300 solar panels on five of their buildings, saving 86 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year, equivalent to taking 20 cars off the road.

All 14 local authorities in Kent and Medway are also committed to reducing countywide emissions to net zero by 2050 through their Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES).

This includes their emission reduction pathways plan which sets five-year carbon budgets for the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted. This aims to achieve significant reduction of greenhouses gases by 2030 in Kent and Medway, to net zero by 2050.

Over the next 30 years most greenhouse gas emissions will come from buildings which exist today so a ‘building retrofit programme’ will be established for the public sector, businesses and homes. This will enable people to carry out modifications to improve the energy efficiency of their building.

Kent and Medway partners are also working to promote the Warm Homes scheme that helps residents to reduce their energy bills and make their homes warmer.

The Kent Green Action campaign, which will be rolled out across Kent Green Action’s social media channels, includes explainer animations, case study films, top tips and advice about how to become more environmentally friendly.

There are many ways for individuals, communities and businesses to reduce their impact on the environment. For example, homeowners could install insulation, change to a green energy tariff, install renewable energy or use water saving devices.

Greg Chant-Hall from Wye in Kent installed renewable technologies and insulation in his home.

He said: “The best thing is that we can be inside all year round and just wear a t-shirt. Whether it’s really hot outside or snowing, it’s still a fairly good ambient temperature in our home.

“The other benefit is that our energy doesn’t cost us anything, we don’t pay any bills because they are paid for by the energy we produce for the national grid. It actually works out that we make money by living here which is quite nice!”

In addition, individuals could use an electric car, public transport, car share, walk or cycle. The travel planner tool on Kent Connected website and app can help to plan transport methods.

Businesses in the South East of England can also apply for LoCASE funding of up to £10,000 to help them to become more competitive and profitable while protecting the environment with low carbon solutions.

Bore Place, Edenbridge, a not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting sustainability and providing opportunities for young people and adults to spend time in nature, was awarded £9,880 which they used to get an internet supply infrastructure on site.

Caroline Arnold, CEO of Commonwork Trust, said: “I’d definitely recommend the LoCASE scheme to other businesses and charities because it gives you that opportunity to get something moving quite quickly that maybe you wouldn’t be able to do without the support.”

Greensand Ridge Distillery, near Shipbourne village, was awarded £10,000 which they used to install a pond to recycle hot water from the distillery. The pond recycles hot water from the distillery so that it can be returned for use in their cooling system. This reduces their water and salt use by 85 %.

Will Edge, co-founder of Greensand Ridge Distillery, said: “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without LoCASE funding.”

Susan Carey, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We are already working hard to address many environmental issues through the Kent Environment Strategy and our other environmental policies. However, we must all work together to protect our environment and keep Kent a great place to live, work and visit.

“Every day we make choices that affect the world around us, and by making informed choices we can create a healthier environment for ourselves and for future generations. We can all make a difference now, and in the future.

“We have lots of ideas to support Kent’s residents, business owners, teachers and community groups to promote collective action: No action is too big, or too small.”